County Laois Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
county in Ireland
About County Laois
Ireland began on two continents separated by the Iapetus Ocean. Over 400 million years ago the ocean closed up, and a line of mountains formed where the continents fused. These towered over 3000 m high, but were of sandstone that quickly eroded, leaving the 500 m peaks of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. They formed a natural boundary between the ancient kingdoms of Leinster to the east and Munster to the west, and a semi-independent "buffer state" ofOsraigeor Ossory emerged along this upland strip. Its people were the tribe of Ui Laoighis, pronounced "Leesh", who were traditionally composed of seven "septs" or clans - the leading clan being the O'Mordha, aka O'More or Moore. The O'Mores sided with Leinster but in the 12th century the Normans arrived, grabbed the best land, and re-organised the
County Laois Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: