Top Things to do in Portlaoise
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What to do and see in Portlaoise, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Portlaoise, Ireland including Rock of Dunamase, Midway Ireland Tours, Kavanaghs Bar & Venue, Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, Nook & Cranny, Sally Gardens Pub, Roll n Bowl, Irish Fly Fishing And Game Shooting Museumu, Sheeran's The Village Inn, Poet's Cottage.
Restaurants in Portlaoise
1. Rock of Dunamase
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By Almostgreynomad - Sydney, Australia
Seen this many times from the motorway between Dublin and Kilkenny. Finally got myself sorted to go and explore !
Easy parking at the church, and a short looped walk around the castle, make it a very pleasant and easy outing.
Look up the websites before you go, especially the layout of the castle, for a clearer appreciation of the ruins.
2. Midway Ireland Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Sunloving48 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roghan, because of you and Midway Ireland tours our family is as in love with Ireland as we were after our first tour with you, the second time was even better and there will be a 3rd in the near future! Thank you! For EVERYTHING! It couldn't have been better. Your planning and coordination of anywhere from 8-24 people for 16 days, with tours, information, hotels, great places to eat...he did it all and it was perfection! We saw so much and learned even more because of your historical knowledge and willingness to share and teach those with you. We went to all the places we wanted and you added in things that were even better than what the big tours can do. You spent time with each member of the group and answered all our questions. It was a holiday of a lifetime and a wonderful build up to our daughters wedding day! I can not more highly recommend another human as I can Roghan. He is simply the best!
3. Kavanaghs Bar & Venue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Kavanaghs Bar & Venue located on the Main Street in Portlaoise, offers a wide variety to locals and visitors alike. Made to order hand cut sandwiches, panini's, wraps and rolls are available Mon- Fri from 11am-4pm. Live music in the bar on various night, phone or check website for current listings. Our live venue plays host to wide variety of top quality stand up comedy and live music.
Reviewed By Anne J
Went to see Mick Flannery. Bar service was excellent. Atmosphere was fantastic. Would go to a gig there again.Hi Anne, delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit to Kavanaghs! Sure was a great gig! Thanks for your review, hopefully we'll see you again in Kavanaghs soon! PJ & Niamh
4. Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Chuck52310 - New Haven
Not far off the beaten path, the Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum is well worth a visit. The visit is by guided tour and is very reasonably priced. See how families lived if they could not find work elsewhere during the famine and immediately after. Our tour guide was not the most knowledgeable of tour guides, but she seemed to have the basic information.
5. Nook & Cranny
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Come view our inspiring range of gifts and quality brands. Carefully sourced both in Ireland and overseas, you will find traditional childrens toys, games and puzzles, premium natural wax candles, stylish fashion accessories and design-led homewares. With books for fun and books for knowledge, quirky signs and a really great greeting card selection, a browse here will bring a smile to your face.
Reviewed By Beastie14 - Meath
Really enjoyed this store. The lady was so welcoming and helpful with some great tips for my time in the area. While passing through I managed to pick up some cool gifts for my nieces, unique playing cards and board games that I used to...MoreHi Beastie14 So pleased we could help you source some great gifts when you called in - clearly you must be the 'cool uncle' in your family :) Thanks for the lovely review and kind recommendation, which we value.
6. Sally Gardens Pub
Overall Ratings
4 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By polly1966024 - Portlaoise, Ireland
nice enough pub but dark, like to see my drink. great pub for a session and alot of youth go in here.
7. Roll n Bowl
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Noreen D - Portlaoise, Ireland
I go here regularly with the children to the playcentre but they have also been to parties the last one my daughter went to it and she was rollerskating while the young ones can go to the playcentre if they find it too tough and then on to Laser quest and they have party tables in a room. I overheard when I was there that when you go later to the bowling alley you can bring your own drink so you could have a corporate night out or set uo a club to play the bowling it is 35 euro for half an hour however I am sure if you have a group you may get a good rate.
The food that is available during the day is coffee/tea/danish pastries/scones (hot or cold), snacks, juices, slushes, popcorn, fizzy drinks and pizza for 9 euro. You can get a jug of juice or if you want you can avail of the drinking Fountain (free) situated in the corner just before the playcentre area. They also have amusements upstairs for the teens or young ones and the best one is the cars for 2 euro. They provide childrens parties and they do have a mum and toddlers special where you get a free tea either on Wed/Thurs cant remember. Oh they also have a pool table near the bowling alley and they have a teddybear factory too. There is a machine of teddy bears and you are a winner all the time which is nice for the younger ones for 2 euro. Well worth it.
8. Irish Fly Fishing And Game Shooting Museumu
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Dain96 - Portlaosie
Off the beaten track but well worth a visit if you have an interest in fishing...it is a surprising place with a huge range of items.
9. Sheeran's The Village Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Philip D
Visited this Irish traditional gem of a pub to celebrate its acquisition by local man Lar Hogan and was not disappointed to find it packed, great atmosphere with a great buzz.. This picturesque thatched pub at the foot hills of The Slieve Bloom Mountains is a must visit for locals and tourists alike. Whilst there I was sat in front of a large inviting open fire being entertained by a local trad band which had the large gathering jigging at every opportunity. I noticed at least two separate Seating areas apart from the front and back main bar, ideal if part of a large "crew" out together for the night wishing to stay as a group or private party. Service was friendly and pricing very competitive with live music advertised for all weekend nights. If you enjoy a traditional Irish pub of years gone by, open fire, great "craic", all main sports shown, friendly staff and customers alike than this a must visit pub.
10. Poet's Cottage
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Dain96 - Portlaosie
This replica thatched cottage gives visitors a sense of what daily life must have been like for most people in rural Ireland in the 1800s. Too bad it seems to be closed? It is pretty and one feels that more could be done than just having it in locked up in the village? It is well sign posted from the major road and there is a lovely drive through the countryside and villages to get to it but then nothing?
Web site: http://www.laois.ie/leisureandculture/heritage/laoisheritagetrail/poetscottage/
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