What’s On Guide

The festival offers a choice of woodland walks, riverside and gentle rolling hills with experienced walk leaders who will enhance your hike with stories of local history, geology and fauna

When two women meet at a hospital and give birth to their babies on the same day, their lives are inextricably linked. Pedro Almodóvar takes another deep dive into the joys and complexities of female relationships framed by motherhood, loss and the challenges of reconciliation, with an emotive and radiant performance from long-time collaborator, Penélope Cruz.

To celebrate the return of Portlaoise Musical Society to Dunamaise stage this year - the society will host the the Portlaoise film premiere of Sunshine on Leith (The Motion Picture) at Dunamaise Cinema - based on the sensational stage hit of the same name, featuring music by pop-folk band The Proclaimers. The film follows the stories of Davy and Ally, who have to re-learn how to live life in Edinburgh after coming home from serving in Afghanistan. Both struggle to learn to live a life outside the army and to deal with the everyday struggles of family, jobs and relationships.

Promoted by Music Generation Laois, this concert is part of a weekend of music in Stradbally, Music at the Malt House 2022.

Following the recent sell-out success of their debut hit comedy show, Sorry for your Loss is an unmissable night of fun and craic that will have you killed with laughter. 

The Pale will celebrate 30 years in the music industry this year, and they will be undertaking a special 30th anniversary Irish tour to commemorate this achievement before the summer.

Kavanaghs Comedy Club presents, Tom O'Mahony; 'Clattered'.

In Tell Me This Now, Mountrath Youth Theatre and Mountrath Golden Years Club will come together for an afternoon of storytelling to see what we can all learn from each other.

A wonderful evening for you to relax and unwind, while getting lost in the hypnotic sounds of Tibetan singing bowls, Gongs, Drums, percussion and beautiful chanting.

Casino Night at BloomHQ. With professional croupiers and lots of prizes on the night.

The release of cua’s new album is something very positive, born out of the lockdown. It is a departure from their traditional recording settings and moving to remote recording where necessary. Out of this period of time they persevered and continued writing and recording.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present  - James O'Connor and Band Live.

Indulge yourself in a mini-retreat at Blackhill Woods.
This is a monthly special event hosted by Simon, offering a deep dive into Yin Yoga and all of the relaxing benefits it provides for you in body, mind and spirit.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present Radio Nowhere.

Foster & Allen are Celebrating over 45 years in the Music Business with an Irish Tour this Christmas and New Year!

Following its sell-out run at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre in October 2021, treat yourself to an evening of laughter and triumph, as Norma Sheahan, one of Ireland’s leading dramatic actors, breathes new life into Willy Russell’s effervescent and iconic character SHIRLEY VALENTINE.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present The Year Grunge Broke.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present  - The Valves.

Traditional Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony as lead by special guest Inigoos McKay.
We will build the lodge and the fire together as guided by Inigoose and enter into ceremony for the day.
This is a ritual of purification and transformation.
We will hold a feast together at the end of the day to reflect on our journey.

If you have ever visited Ballintubbert you will know that it is a place of peace and tranquillity. It is nourishment for the soul. Why not come and stay and join our midweek retreat with the lovely Lucinda Thornely and Lucybloom Webb.

Want to reconnect to life…?
Need inspiration from nature..?
Would you like quality time to yourself or with a friend or loved one away from the fast paced life..?
Finding it hard to practice or even start practicing Yoga and Meditation..?
Or just would like to deepen your awareness with a clear head and open heart?

Abbeyleix Heritage House are holding a free concert for it's 25th anniversary!

This will be Róisín’s first solo tour in four years. Not to be missed!

Fittest Club in Ireland competition and showcasing some of the best of what Laois has to offer.

You will be guided through the range of plants suitable for creating a beautiful Bee Friendly planter.
You will make a stunning display that will bring a whole lot of colour & joy to your life, attracting bees & butterflies too!
You will learn about what plants will thrive in your chosen container.
We will provide a variety of different bee friendly plants & flowers to suit all environments.
We will share ideas about colour schemes & suitable locations
Select from our huge range of trailing & bedding plant

Learn all about bees & beekeeping in Ireland.

Come along and explore the Medieval history of Ballyadams Castle. A guided tour of the Castle and then to the nearby Church and Holy Well.

A leisure cycle, interspersed with poetry, prose, storytelling and music.

Re-enactment of the visit of renowned Irish poet, Thomas Kinsella, to Durrow in the 1950s.

Join Declan and his super live band with special guests Louise Morrissey and John Hogan for a nostalgic night of music, song and laughter.

John B Keane's - The Field will be in Mountmellick Community Arts Centre for one night only.

A roof raising night of brilliant Trad music is guaranteed from Goitse, making a welcome return to the Dunamaise stage after another successful tour in America. 

This fun run takes place over the June Bank Holiday with the midland County of Laois in Ireland as the event base

The rolling midland’s landscape will bring participants near and past ice age esker ridges, neolithic ring forts, the Dún of Clopook (Home of the Púca), medieval churches, landed gentry estates, An Cruchan, round towers, and lots mor

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present The Jury Live.

Fin Dwyer, from the acclaimed Irish History Podcast, will give a talk on The Great Famine, with particular emphasis on the fact that 2022 is the 175th anniversary of 1847 - the worst year of the Great Hunger, also known as Black ’47.

Fin is an historian, author and podcaster, who studied archaeology and Greek and Roman Civilisation in University College Dublin and completed a masters in archaeology in 2004.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present The Valves Live.

Join us at The Midlands Park Hotel for what promises to be a great night's entertainment with the wonderful Nathan Carter.

Irelands Ultimate tribute to Bon Jovi return to Kavanaghs Courtyard Venue for what promises to one hell of a gig!

Set aside Sunday 12th June as a day for nurturing and rebalancing for your good self or a loved one.
The date is set for a very special collaboration between two heart based women to hold space for you to deeply release, relax and come back to your highest self.
The day will restore harmony between body, mind and spirit through gentle yoga, meditation, journaling, forest bathing, delicious vegan lunch and an afternoon of blissful sound healing.

Learn how to make a beautiful Summer wreath to take home & enjoy.

With a full house of traders from across Ireland, there will be something for all tastes, interests and budgets. From rare and collectable books, banknotes and coins, to antique and vintage jewellery, plus furniture big and small, countless items for the home from tableware to artworks, and a whole host of quirky curios besides.

Join Folk Singer Emer Dunne in the unique setting of Timahoe Heritage Centre for a FREE live music event.

Frank and JJ are taking to the stage together - The Apple and the Tree!

Chapterhouse Theatre Company Presents magical theatre in magical surroundings.

All aboard! It's full steam ahead for our next public running day, Sunday, June 19th.
Rusty the diesel is on for the first hour of trains from 11am before Róisín the steam loco takes over from 12pm-4pm. Tickets are valid for unlimited journeys between 11am and 4pm and are sold on the day at the station before boarding.

A Musical Celebration of a town twinning 2022.
Featuring , Steve Cooney Laois School of Music, along with Musicians from Franklin High School, Tennessee and Michael Rooney from Music Generation Laois.

Join Emer Dunne in the unique setting of Donaghmore Famine Workhouse for a FREE live performance.

Make sure to get your early bird tickets on sale 9am this Friday May 6th on www.oldfortquarter.ie 
Ticket Sales managed by Dunamaise Arts Centre.

It is with great pleasure to present this fundraising concert, arranged by Nathan James who has put together a great line-up for the show; Miracles of Music, which is a fundraising event for Portlaoise Lourdes pilgrims in need. This fundraiser is to help provide financial assistance to someone who is unwell or in need, who would love to get the opportunity to travel and visit Our Lady of Lourdes. 

The Old Fort Quarter Festival 2022 is delighted to return to Portlaoise after a 2-year hiatus, over the last weekend in June Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th. This year’s festival promises to be the largest yet with a bulging line up that will include four fantastic headline gigs, ticketed on the Main Stage in Laois Music Centre, as well as FREE entertainment for all ages across Main Street and Fitzmaurice Plaza, Portlaoise.

Come and join the super fun family activities such as fun summer games, cooking fun, sandcastle building and many more.

Aslan headlines Saturday night of The Old Fort Quarter Festival 2022, as part of their 40th Anniversary nationwide tour that culminates with a headline performance in the 3 Arena in September. We are delighted to work with MCD to secure this huge gig. Aslan came together as a band in 1982, which means they are forty years together in 2022 - an amazing achievement for any band. Over the forty years they have had numerous chart successes, toured the world, broken up, made up and given us some classic songs such as This Is and Crazy World. Today, Aslan continue to entertain the masses in many of Ireland’s and the UKs premier venues.

The route of either 10km or 5km will take you cross-country through some of Ireland’s last surviving ancient woodlands at Abbey Leix House and Farm Estate. It’s rough terrain, so be prepared. Start Times: 10k Route - 12pm, 5k Route - 12.15pm.

Celebrate with family, friends and neighbours at the Stable Yard. For your entertainment we’ll have acrobats, games, and an aeroplane display; plus local crafts and cuisine, food trucks, face painters, and more.

Join "The Lost Messiahs" for a special intimate gig in Timahoe Heritage Centre.

Bands and singer-songwriters age 10-18 from Music Generation programmes in Laois, South Dublin, Offaly-Westmeath, Waterford, Sligo and Roscommon will take to the stage to perform at this inaugural event for young musicians.

A unique tribute to the golden era of early 90s dance, pop and R‘n’B. This Dublin six-piece is comprised of experienced musicians performing the best of classic 90s tracks. Smash Hits! have appeared on bills across Ireland with acts like 50 Cent, MGMT, 5ive, S-Club, Faithless, Wheatus, Orbital, The Saturdays, The Coronas and 2Unlimited. The Smash Hits! live show has been getting the party started in venues, nightclubs, corporate events and festivals for the last five years.

Come along with family and friends, picnic in one of Ireland's beautiful gardens and surroundings and enjoy a wonderful performance of ABBA’s greatest hits! What could be more fun in the summer sun!

We are very excited to be hosting this amazing workshop, Circular Economy Academy Workshop in conjunction with Rediscovery Centre and The Environmental Protection Agency.
If you are interested in exploring new business opportunities around repair, reuse, lending and environmental innovation then come along to this free event at SOLAS.

Kavanagh's Bar and Venue present " The Jury".

All aboard! It's full steam ahead for our next public running day, Sunday, July 3rd.
Rusty the diesel is on for the first hour of trains from 11am before Róisín the steam loco takes over from 12pm-4pm. Tickets are valid for unlimited journeys between 11am and 4pm and are sold on the day at the station before boarding.

Four day Summer kids camp filled with fun & learning.
From yoga, to dance to art activities and planting we have a fun filled week planned.

Delighted to finally announce our summer camp dates for July. We can't wait to get out on the water and have a splashing time during our three day summer camps at Banagher marina.

Performances from National and International Dancers,

Exhibition: 'Memory Lane' Followed by an evening reception.

Expert advice from a legend of the gardening world; Sandro Cafolla.
Sandro will talk you through the full process of how to grow a wildflower meadow.
Suitability: Adults

Oversight of the key environmental problems we face, and practical steps you can take in your back garden to make a change for the better.

Raheen Vintage Club Annual Rally Sunday 10th of July. - Leaving from Corbally, Portlaoise Road, Abbeyleix at 12pm. Vintage Tractor and Car display, Zetor theme, Lorry and motorbike display, Stationary engine's, Rally car display, Barn finds, Auto-Jumble, Stalls, Dog show, BBQ, Wheel of Fortune.

Delighted to finally announce our summer camp dates for July. We can't wait to get out on the water and have a splashing time during our three day summer camps at Banagher marina.

Warré Hive Natural Beekeeping Course with Tanguy de Toulgoet.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present  - Radio Nowhere  - Sunday Sessions.

Our One Day sustainable Horticultural Course is a great way to discover and learn horticulture in one day, with our intensive, no labour and no dig gardening system on lazy beds. We use raw materials to feed the soil and it helps to fight climate change by storing carbon into the soil in a healthy and productive living system.

Join owner David Walsh-Kemmis for a tour of the brewery to see the sustainability measures that the team at Ballykilcavan have put in place, and then for a discussion on environmental and social sustainability in businesses in general.

Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning play.

Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge. 

Kavanagh's Bar and Venue present  - Crow Black Chicken.

Our One Day sustainable Growing your own food Course is a great way to discover and learn how to grow herbs, vegetables and fruits in one day, with our intensive, no labour and no dig intensive gardening system on lazy beds. We use raw materials to feed the soil and it helps to fight climate change by storing carbon into the soil in a healthy and productive living system.

New Summertime Boutique Festival to enjoy, Forest Fest at Emo Village for a weekend of music and arts.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present  - Strength in Numbers.

One of the main attractions is the popular Hunt Chase, with teams competing from all parts of the country. There are trade exhibitors of all descriptions from crafts to horse tack. The show day is an enjoyable day out for all the family with many attractions, and entertainments to capture the heart of everyone’s interest. The showgrounds are located in Coolfin, Kilbreedy, Rathdowney, County Laois, in the heart of Ireland.

Durrow Scarecrow Festival is back after 2 years!!

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue host " An Evening with Jermaine Beckford"

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present - Abuse Your Illusions.

Come and Join us for 3 days of Arts, Music and Entertainment in Abbeyleix.

The National Steam Rally is a fun-filled Family Friendly event, and we look forward to seeing you all on July 31st & August 1st 2022!

Join the team at Ballintubbert on Sunday July 31st from 12 noon to 5pm. Come and spend the day in this place of wellness and peace. Wand through the formal organic gardens, run wild in the long meadow, play hide and seek in the woodlands and perhaps play skittles in the Orchard. The good cups are out and we will be offering teas and coffees and sumptuous cakes from the pop up tea shop. 

FINALLY we can look forward to celebrating our 25th Anniversary, of Vintage Road Runs, in aid of LAOIS HOSPICE. So please join us, for this memorable event - any donation in helping us achieve the 1 million mark will be so much appreciated.

Come ride our stream train Sunday the 14th August. Trains will be operating from 11am-4pm on the day, with diesel trains for the first hour and our steam loco Róisín hauling them for the rest of the day.

The Twin Trees Heywood Festival’s Three Day En Plein Air, Tutored Painting, will take place, in Ballinakill, Co. Laois, on August 18th, 19th and 20th.

John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world.

As an artist his music appeals to listeners across many genres and generations. His vocal style has a unique almost sean-nós like quality and his performances shimmer with the magic realism that permeates many of his songs as he effortlessly flits between beautiful poetry tinged with melancholy to roguish, irreverent humour. John has the ability to charm, mesmerise and entertain in equal measure.

Abbeyleix's writing festival, The Power of Words, is a truly engaging weekend for people of all ages and palates.

Kavanagh's Bar and Venue present "Sásta".

Grapple Queens is the first all Women event ever held is Ireland and will feature some of the best female athletes in Europe. 

 Join Rory for an intimate evening of comedy and honest conversations with some well-known friends, as he brings his live show across Ireland.

After some time sitting on the couch we are back to real life. Trousers instead of tracksuit bottoms and coffee and a biscuit instead of four gin and tonics and half a cheese cake. In this show Gearoid takes a look at the litany of things in our lives that just don't measure up.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present - oldskool, the evolution of hip hop.

Join the team at Ballintubbert on Sunday September 18th from 12 noon to 5pm. Come and spend the day in this place of wellness and peace. Wand through the formal organic gardens, run wild in the long meadow, play hide and seek in the woodlands and perhaps play skittles in the Orchard. The good cups are out and we will be offering teas and coffees and sumptuous cakes from the pop up tea shop. 

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present Shane Clifford: Aw Class 

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present  - XSLF & The Outcast Crew.

It’s Joe the Magician from RTÉjr! And he’s bringing his spectacular children’s comedy magic and illusion show to the Dunamaise Arts Centre for one spectacular afternoon of mind boggling fun! 

The annual Portarlington and Killenard Charity Gala Ball will be held on Saturday 24 September, with proceeds from the event going to the Midlands Hospice building fund.

The red-carpet event will be held in The Heritage Hotel, Killenard with music by JL Sounds on arrival and later by Transmitter. This year’s special guest of honour is Mountrath native and patron of the Midlands Hospice build campaign Claire Byrne from RTÉ.

Kavanaghs Bar & Venue Presents - A Tribute to Radiohead.

Come along and try craft beers, German Bratwurst, and enjoy some great music.

Ireland's No.1 Rod Stewart Tribute show

Kavanaghs Bar & Venue present - Ruaile Buaile

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present - Whiplash (A Metallica Tribute).

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue Present - Panic Animal

Dunamaise is delighted to welcome Brú Theatre Company to spend a few days of technical rehearsals here in advance of their national tour. They will take part in theatre workshops with Laois Youth Theatre members as well as a post-show discussion around the themes of the show and positive mental health awareness. The post-show discussion is presented in partnership with Laois Connects. Further details to be announced.

These top rated folk musicians and singers bring to life the songs of the internationally renowned Dubliners.

Kavanaghs Bar and Venue present Kevin McGahern for a great night of comedy.

Enjoy the festive spirit with the spectacular A Christmas Salute to the Crooners.

Round up your friends for a hilarious night out! Be shocked, delighted and amused by the only chat-line girls with dusters, attitude and their very own bus passes! Pure theatrical Viagra? It probably is for those who might just need the real thing!

Kavanaghs Bar & Venue Present  - Thin As Lizzy.

Kavanaghs Bar & Venue Present - Kevin McGahern.

Kavanaghs Bar & Venue Present Hollywood Rose (Guns n Roses Tribute).

It’s always party time when ABBA comes to town but when it’s the Christmas Show, then that’s a real excuse to let your hair down! This happy sing-a-long event is pure escapism. It celebrates ABBA’S MUSIC with a loud and proud production and terrific audio visuals of ABBA Seminal moments on the GIANT screen! It’s the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations! Bring your special Christmas Party along and you will have a ball!!

The show features 4 fantastic singers who are all accompanied  by a superb live band of musicians with that authentic western sound, coupled with authentic stage set and state of the art production that will transport you all the way hand clapping and toe tapping to Nashville and back in one night.

The Dolly Songbook embarks on a nationwide tour in March 2023. Don’t miss Cliona’s welcome return to the Dunamaise stage!