Arts and Entertainment

Laois Comhaltas Awards 2026 in Mountrath.

In PICTURES: Laois Comhaltas rewards rising Laois trad talent

Portlaoise Musical Society brings Young Frankenstein to Dunamaise Arts Centre

In PICTURES: Laois musical stars rehearse for a wonderfully wacky show

Some of the Portlaoise Musical Society cast rehearsing for Young Frankenstein.

Monstrous musical fun in Laois courtesy of Portlaoise Musical Society

CrannCroíCollective, a gathering of Laois artists and musicians, have joined together in aid of Irish Nature.

WATCH: Laois artists and musicians unite for Irish nature

Ballyroan's Doireann O'Connor was left shaken after incident in Dublin.

'Lock your doors' - Laois social media star issues warning

Féile na Samhna 2026 events in Laois

Féile na Samhna a great success for Gaelphobal Laoise

Myth and Memory Seminar in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, during the Samhain Folk Festival 2026.

In PICTURES: Myth and memory explored in Laois

Irish National Opera brings comic opera The Bartered Bride to Dunamaise Arts Centre

For one night only: Irish National Opera comes to Laois

Laois - It’s Dark Histories, panel discussion and entertainment, hosted by broadcaster Ann Marie Kelly at Dunamaise Arts Centre, during the Samhain Folk Festival 2026.

In PICTURES: Making light of Laois Dark Histories in Portlaoise

Plámásing with Fionn Phelan in Kavanagh’s Pub and Venue Portlaoise, during the Samhain Folk Festival 2026.

In PICTURES: Laois plámás centre stage in Portlaoise

The Muwaniri family will battle it out on Episode Two of Ireland's Fittest Family on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 6.30pm this Sunday.

Laois nurse to battle it out on Ireland's Fittest Family

Bohemian Strings String Quartet to perform in Portlaoise.

Depeche Mode to the classics from Bohemian quartet in Laois

Glee star Chris Colfer at Stradbally Hall, set of Irish horror-comedy film The Restoration at Grayson Manor

Laois-based horror-comedy movie hits Irish cinemas

PICTURES: Retirement party of Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ní Chonaill

John MacKenna, long-time friend of Leonard Cohen, to host a celebration in Laois to mark the tenth anniversary of the artist's death

Long-time friend of Leonard Cohen to host anniversary evening in Laois

It was a hugely successful year for Portlaoise Comhaltas.

Portlaoise Comhaltas mark year of success

The Race by Sarah Quick from her exhibition Liminal Lines at Dunamaise Arts Centre

Laois artist opens edgy exhibition centering darkness and youth
In Liminal Lines, painter Sarah Quick depicts the transitional, blurring quality of darkness, using darkness itself and her own children as subjects
Kiri O'Neill

Cast and crew at the screening of Thresholds at the Dunamaise Arts Centre.

In PICTURES: Laois film about universal birth and death experiences

Aye Mi, presented by Youth Work Ireland in the Dunamaise Arts Centre during Voices of Laois.

Pictures: Laois youth diversity and culture celebrated in Portlaoise

Launch of ‘Joseph Dowling In Casement’s Wake’ by Teddy Fennelly at Portlaoise Library.

In PICTURES: New book on Laois man who landed on German U-Boat

Rathdowney Panto 'Ya Gotta Pick a Pirate or Two' staged in March 2007.

In Pictures Memory Lane: Lots of Laois laughs

Leaves Festival launches for 2026

Leaves Festival of writing and music returns to Laois

Italian harpist and composer Adriano Sangineto will perform a concert in Castletown

Acclaimed Italian musician to perform at Laois festival

Aye Mi to be staged on October Bank Holiday in Portlaoise.

Laois celebration of youth diversity and culture in Portlaoise

‘The Stream’ cover art by Kate Lawlor ( Daisy Chains)

Laois folk singer set to release new single

Teddy Fennelly has written a new book about a Portlaoise man who attempted to import guns to Ireland after 1916.

New book on Portlaoise man arrested after German U-Boat landing

Some of the attendees at the launch of the book of poetry at the Portlaoise Parish Centre by the late David Duncan (pictured bottom centre).

In Pictures: Poignant launch of Laois poetry book in Portlaoise

Slice Theatre Group performs Avenue Q

Thought-provoking Laois musical compared to ‘going to mass for a year’
Dunamaise Arts Centre delivers rousing live performances with Avenue Q musical and Imposter exhibition
Kiri O'Neill

Muireann Ní Chonaill

'A privilege to have served the people of Laois' arts officer retires

Apex Singers vocal ensemble from Manchester, set to give a workshop and concert in Mountmellick Community Arts Centre on Tuesday evening, October 27.

Apex Singers bringing a capella concert and masterclass to Laois

Laois great gran Kathleen Flanagan with her copper art that won first prize at the Tullamore Show.

'You'd go mad if you were doing nothing' craftmaking Laois great gran

Some of the cast of Seamus Carroll's production of Avenue Q to play at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Laois.

Portlaoise Panto director takes adult puppet musical Avenue Q to Laois

Kiêu Conroy from Mountmellick peformed with U2 in Mount Temple. Also pictured with fellow musicans in Music Generation Laois.

‘Wildest dreams’ come true for Laois harpist at U2’s 50th

Laois folk singer Emer Dunne.

Laois folk singer the stunning voice behind new television advert

Culture Night was captured on camera around Laois.

In PICTURES: Culture Night cornucopia caught on camera in Laois

Upcoming concert features local rising star

PICTURES: Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival returns

Keyboard Cormac whose keyboard was stolen at Electric Picnic 2026.

Help Cormac find his Casio keyboard lost in Electric Picnic carpark

Celebrity Gogglebox is returning

Laois TV star joins big line-up for celebrity Gogglebox

Eileen Dunne, Noel Fitzpatrick, Damian Bowe, Charlie McGettigan are among the stars confirmed for the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival.

Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival returns!

Leading performer at Electric Picnic cancels due to serious injury

Electric Picnic 2015

Electric Picnic Memory Lane Pictures: Laois live and kicking

Electric Picnic 2019

MEMORY LANE PICTURES: Electric Picnic comes home to Laois

Electric Picnic Memory Lane PICTURES delight from Laois

Electric Picnic stage times announced along with brilliant extra acts

PICTURES: Laois event explores future of bogs around Portarlington

Avril Tierney teaches how to take control and thrive through challenges

'Nervous, but excited' Laois woman to launch book on life with cancer

PICTURES: Crowds in Laois village as sign unveiled on heritage week

French street artist Zabou painting a monumental mural on the wall of the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, featuring local young performers.

WATCH: Massive new mural appearing on Portlaoise building in Laois

Peter Hyland

'Like a mini celebrity' - Laois man on being a Rose of Tralee escort

Katelyn Cummins being interviewed by Laois Live when she returned to Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall as the new Roses made their special visit to the landmark stop on Tuesday, August 11.

Laois Rose of Tralee reflects on 'absolutely incredible' year

PICTURES: Laois photography enthusiasts showcase work at exhibition

Local photography enthusiasts capture life and heritage in Laois

Photo collage of Portlaoise Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann musicians on the Gig Rig stage at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast.

Portlaoise musicians follow Unionist flute band at Belfast Fleadh

Pam Grogan and her new Birds of Ireland illustrations.

Laois creative and sportswoman painting stunningly real illustrations

King Kong Company at Electric Picnic 2018 Photo credit: Conal McSweeney/Electric Picnic

Surprise! Electric Picnic adds a new stage to famous Laois festival

Some of the Laois winners at the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Laois young dancers and musicians win big at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann