Portlaoise Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
county town of County Laois, Ireland
About Portlaoise
The town grew up from the 16th century as Maryborough, named for Queen Mary, when the Tudors established a fort, ousted the Irish rulers the O'Mores, and colonised the area with "Plantations" of loyal English settlers. Growth was slow because of Irish counter-attacks, but the town developed industry and was a stop along the Dublin—Limerick highway. The railway arrived in the 19th century to put it within an hour or so of Dublin. During independence it was renamed Portlaoise and became a hub for several state agencies, eg the Post, and there's a large maximum security prison. In the 21st century Portlaoise grew rapidly as a commuter town for Dublin, and in 2016 the population was 22,050, making it the most populous town in the Midlands.
Top Attractions in Portlaoise
Explore the best things to see and do in Portlaoise:
- ★Dunamaise Arts Centre
- ★Heath Golf Club
- ★Portlaoise Golf Club
- ★Portlaoise Leisure Centre
- ★Rock of Dunamase
- ★Roll 'n Bowl
Where to Eat in Portlaoise
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Indian Prince
- 🍴Kelly's Steakhouse
- 🍴Mayur
- 🍴Mezbaan Restaurant
- 🍴Mulhall's Restaurant
- 🍴O'Gorman's
Where to Stay in Portlaoise
- 🏨Ballyfin Demesne
- 🏨Glamping Under The Stars
- 🏨Ivyleigh House
- 🏨Killeshin Hotel
- 🏨Laois County Lodge B&B
- 🏨Maher's B&B
Portlaoise Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: