Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival returns!

With the dust or mud settling on the Electric Picnic, the stars are set to align over Laois again, this time for the second edition of the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival.

Taking place across Laois on the weekend of September 4, 5 & 6 the Homecoming is the brainchild of Laois Country Music star and Mountrath native Trudi Lalor.

With live music, art and photography exhibitions alongside songwriting and literary events, Trudi is promising a festival of unrivalled entertainment.

Line dancing classes, a community Mass, community tea dances, a Gala Dinner and Country Music Concert also feature alongside two very special events for children and adults living with disabilities.

Returning for its second year, Trudi promises a unique festival of events that caters for all tastes.

“The excitement about this year’s festival is unbelievable; the buzz in the county is infectious and energising, with so many people getting in touch to offer help and support,” she said.

The chief organiser has drafted in the ladies from Laois ICA to help with the community tea dances again this year while All Abilities Ireland volunteers are helping with their two special events.

“Banners and flags are being prepared, communities are coming together, and that’s what this festival is all about; it’s about the people of Laois and showcasing our county in the best possible light,” she said.

Trudi says the Annual Gala Dinner is one of the many highlights over the weekend and takes place on Saturday, September 5, in the Midlands Park Hotel Portlaoise.

Trudi is promising a fun-filled evening with music, great food and an opportunity to celebrate some incredible individuals in our county.

The night features four Laois-based Unsung Heroes whilst also honouring someone who has flown the flag high for Laois on a national level over several decades.

This year’s celebrity guest is Eileen Dunne, former RTÉ newscaster and journalist, whose late father was the legendary Mick Dunne from Clonaslee and who was a highly respected Sports Commentator for RTÉ. MORE BELOW PHOTO

Eileen has maintained a strong connection to Laois by helping local groups and causes around the county.

Trudi says the Unsung Heroes helps highlight the wonderful work they have done in their communities. She adds that this year’s list include some inspirational people and organisations.

Noel Burke, Tom Duffy, Abbeyleix House and Farm Animal Sanctuary and The ARC (addiction recovery) Project are this year’s recipients.

Trudi promises a night that will include a beautiful four-course dinner with live music and entertainment from three of Laois’s most popular entertainers.

The night features a favourite in Laois, Damian Bowe. Of late, Damian is best known for his work as musical director of the Timahoe Male Choir. He is an award-winning vocalist in his own right.

Trudi herself will also take to the stage with her band, while the night also includes Ballyfin man Prof Noel Fitzpatrick Band aka the Supervet. Noel and his band are flying in directly from the UK. His band include members of the TakeThat Band and ELO!

Noel was last year’s VIP recipient for his ground-breaking work in Veterinary Medicine, which has gained worldwide fame thanks to a feature on Channel 4 series The Supervet.

“This is going to be another sell-out Gala Dinner and is the perfect opportunity for families and friends to reunite and celebrate the best of Laois, so the advice is to get your tickets now,” said Trudi.

The organiser urges people to take in lots more of what the festival has to offer.

Eurovision Winner and prolific singer/ songwriter Charlie McGettigan brings his own unique brand of music to Preston House in Abbeyleix on Saturday afternoon, September 5 for an intimate concert.

There will also be literary events held earlier in the day at the historic Abbeyleix venue. It hosts a Creative Writing Workshop at 10 am with Mountmellick Native Helen Moorhouse. The afternoon features a Playwriting Workshop starting at 2.30 pm with renowned Laois playwright and Ballyfin native, Frances Harney.

The festival includes two events for children and older adults with All Abilities on Saturday afternoon in The Midlands Park Hotel, and a line dancing class is also taking place there with highly respected dance teacher Maureen Culleton. These events are free and open to everybody.

Local artists and photographers from around the county will also be showcasing their work throughout the weekend at The Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise.

Trudi says there is a special invitation extended to everyone from Eddie Phelan’s restaurant in Mountrath to come along and see what she describes as the incredible work captured on camera by local photographers.

Taking place on Thursday evening, September 3, the free photography exhibition includes a free cheese and wine reception.

The Taste of Laois will also showcase their wonderful produce throughout the festival.

A community Mass with various and beautiful choirs is organised with the help of Nuala Kelly and Monsignor John Byrne, Portlaoise PP. It takes place on Sunday, September 6 at 12.30 pm in SS Peter & Pauls Church, Portlaoise. Admission is again free.

The festival features two afternoon Community Tea Dances on Sunday afternoon in Spink and Mountrath. There will be music by TR Dallas in Knock Hall in Spink and by Dave Lawlor with special guest Shawn Cuddy in the former Brigidine Convent / now Bloom HQ, Mountrath. All are welcome.

Sunday features a feast of Country Music at a concert in Portlaoise. Camross native Shawn Cuddy, Sandy Kelly, The Musketeers, Paddy O’ Brien, and more will bring the proceedings to a close on Sunday night in The Midlands Park Hotel.

The Festival is supported by businesses including CJ Sheeran, Mountrath, Ballyfin Demesne, Omos Restaurant, Abbeyleix, Arunachala Laois, Tom Butler Engineering Company, Realsim. Trudi also thanks other kind individuals for coming on board to support her homecoming vision.

“If it wasn’t for these incredibly kind sponsors, none of this would be possible,” she says.

Details can be found on the website www.LovelyLaoisHomecoming.ie and also on the Facebook Page Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival.