PHOTOS: Laois Year in Review: A November to remember

November was a turbulent month for Laois, with highs of stunning awards and events, while towns were hit with the worst flooding recorded in five years. The Leinster Express / Laois Live brought you updates across the county as they came.

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November was a turbulent month in Laois, with the banks of the Barrow and Owenass bursting and flooding local roads and homes.

Storm Amy brought bouts of heavy rainfall, with Mountmellick and  Portarlington  experiencing the worst flooding recorded in the towns within the last five years.

No warning for heavy rainfall was issued for Laois, with Portarlington being one of the worst towns affected by the storm.

There was a great crowd in The Heritage Killenard on Saturday November 1, as local club O'Dempsey's got together to mark a significant milestone since the club were last crowned Laois Senior Football champions back in 1980.

Months of fundraising and movie making reach a crescendo on November 1 with staging of the Durrow Goes to Hollywood finale.

The well-received event was a vital part of of Durrow Development Forum's efforts to raise €226,000 needed for the new Community and Enterprise Hub.

The night saw Durrow locals dressed to the nines for the premiere.

Also on November 1, Trilogy Triathlon Club celebrated their 21st anniversary in Abbeyleix, gathering for their end of year awards and a big celebration of the club's founding.

Laois LGFA gathered to unveil the new 2026 jersey on November 3, with two sponsors on the 2026 kit. Meaney Plant Hire is the main shirt sponsor, with Forest Fest as the sleeve sponsor.

Portlaoise College was buzzing with excitement as students brought the world to life during Geography Week from November 3 to 7.

There was sadness yet understanding in Laois when Bishop of Ossory Niall Coll announced his departure, marking himself as the third bishop within the diocese in the last ten years.

While some Laois parishes lost a Bishop, one Laois parish gained a new priest. Father David Vard was installed during a special mass led by Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Denis Nulty on Saturday, November 29, officially making him the Parish Priest for the Stradbally / Timahoe / Vicarstown parish.

The month also saw Laois locals awarded for their acts of volunteerism, in a stunning night on Friday November 21.

Nearly 300 people gathered from the four corners of Laois for the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2025, hosted by Laois County Council in the Midlands Park Hotel, for the event's 16th anniversary.

November saw Portlaoise Musical Society fly high with their annual show, with an exciting production of 'Come From Away'.

The show ran in the Dunamaise Arts Centre from November 15 to November 22, receiving raving reviews from Laois locals. 

The Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum celebrated their bicentennial anniversary,  and invited the public to share in a celebration of Irish White on White Embroidery with a day of free talks and exhibits of items normally stored away.

The Leaves Festival of Writing & Music 2025 featured conversations and panel discussions with Ireland's top writers.

The events included a panel discussion with RTÉ presenter Miriam O'Callaghan, and well-known Laois voices that include Claire Byrne and Evelyn Cusack, which ran from November 4 to November 8.

Abbeyleix's Morrissey's pub celebrated a whopping 250 years in business. The event was marked in style, with Laois locals coming out to show their support!