The remains of the 16th century fort in the centre of Portlaoise town are a reminder of the town’s origins as the first planted town in Ireland. The Fort Protector was built in 1548 to enforce control over the O’Moore territories of Laois. The Fort housed a garrison sent from Dublin to secure the area.
Today you can enjoy a walk around the Fort Protector walls and make time to stop in Fitzmaurice Place to imagine the tales of times gone by.
The Plaza is also named after the famous Col James Fitzmaurice, the first pilot to fly east-west across the Atlantic in a Bremen.