Things to do in County Laois
403 places worth visiting sit inside the County Laois boundary, across 35 towns and villages. Each is counted once here, under the town it is nearest to, which is not always the town it is in.
403
places to visit
35
towns and villages
36
settlements in the county
Everything the map records
120 places to explore, with photographs first. Find more on each town's page or browse by kind of place below.
120 places
Places to explore in pictures
A.-K. D. · CC0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
liam murphy · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Killeshin Church
5.1 km south of Arles · Some of it indoors
A.-K. D. · CC0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Liam Hughes from Milwaukee, WI, USA · CC BY 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
A.-K. D. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Andrewmc · CC BY 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Kilmackeady Church (ruins)
2.5 km south of Ballintubbert · Some of it indoors
A.-K. D. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
A.-K. D. · CC0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Andreas F. Borchert · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Mike Searle · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Cloncourse Castle (ruins)
4 km north-west of Borris-in-Ossory · Some of it indoors
Usually about 45 min
kevin higgins · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Wolftrap Mountain
6.9 km south-west of Clonaslee · Outdoors
kevin higgins · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Baunreaghcong
7.3 km south of Clonaslee · Outdoors
A.-K. D. · CC BY 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Cullahill Castle Chapel
Cullahill · 280 m from the centre · Some of it indoors
Krigh · CC BY 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
No machine-readable author provided. GunnerPoulsen~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
AnTuisealGinideach · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Garry Dickinson · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Mike Searle · CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Iodate · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Sleaty Church
3.6 km east of Killeshin · Some of it indoors
A.-K. D. · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
LoriStrang · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Clonenagh Church
Mountrath · 3.6 km from the centre · Some of it indoors
Andreas F. Borchert · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Meinirland.eu · CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. 
Andreas F. Borchert · CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped for display. Timahoe Church Ruins
Timahoe · 150 m from the centre · Some of it indoors
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More places to explore
- GardensAbbeyleix Community GardenAbbeyleix · 110 m from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- MonumentsKnocknamoe HouseAbbeyleix · 180 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- GardensAbbey Sense GardenAbbeyleix · 230 m from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- MonumentsRobert Edward WildeAbbeyleix · 250 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- ParksDr. Breen ParkAbbeyleix · 370 m from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- PlaygroundsHeritage House PlaygroundAbbeyleix · 430 m from the centreOutdoors · About 45 min
- MonumentsChristopher McClynnAbbeyleix · 450 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- Information boardsSt. Michael & All Angels' ChurchAbbeyleix · 660 m from the centre
- Holy wellsBrownbeg WellAbbeyleix · 740 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- Waymarks and guidepostsRathmoyleAbbeyleix · 770 m from the centre
- GardensKitchen GardenAbbeyleix · 2.5 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- GardensThe King's GardenAbbeyleix · 2.6 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- Ringforts and sitesMount ThomasAbbeyleix · 2.7 km from the centreOutdoors · About 20 min
- Waymarks and guidepostsBallypickas G.A.A.Abbeyleix · 3.6 km from the centre
- Holy wellsSt Abban's WellArles · 470 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- WoodsCurraghatheskin WoodArles · 1.8 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- Ringforts and sitesCastletown Ringfort2.9 km north-west of ArlesOutdoors · About 20 min
- MuseumsIrish Fly Fishing and Game Shooting MuseumAttanagh · 70 m from the centreIndoors · About 1 hr
- Holy wellsFriday WellAttanagh · 170 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- WoodsKyle-cruttiaBallacolla · 1.7 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- CastlesBallygeehin Castle ruinsBallacolla · 2.0 km from the centreSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- Historic churchesEglish Church (ruins)2.7 km south-west of BallacollaSome of it indoors
- WoodsRobin's Grove2.8 km south-west of BallacollaOutdoors · About 40 min
- WoodsRobin's Grove2.9 km south-west of BallacollaOutdoors · About 40 min
- MonumentsNigel Pio Doheny3.3 km south of BallacollaOutdoors · About 15 min
- WoodsGrantstown Wood4 km west of BallacollaOutdoors · About 40 min
- Nature reservesGrantstown Lake4.1 km west of BallacollaOutdoors · About 45 min
- WoodsCoolacurragh Wood4.7 km south-west of BallacollaOutdoors · About 40 min
- CastlesBallinakill CastleBallinakill · 90 m from the centreSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- Holy wellsBowling WellBallinakill · 300 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- LakesMass LoughBallinakill · 750 m from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- RuinsThe OrangeryBallinakill · 1.4 km from the centreOutdoors · About 20 min
- ShrinesThe GrottoBallinakill · 1.5 km from the centreOutdoors
- WoodsAskuar2.2 km east of BallinakillOutdoors · About 40 min
- Historic churchesClonkeen Church ruins2.6 km west of BallinakillSome of it indoors
- Historic churchesDysart Church3.2 km north-east of BallinakillSome of it indoors
- HillsKnockardagur4.3 km east of BallinakillOutdoors
- HillsCooper's Hill4.6 km east of BallinakillOutdoors
- GardensBallintubbert Gardens and HouseBallintubbert · 90 m from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- LakesThe CanalBallintubbert · 120 m from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- MonumentsCecil Day LewisBallintubbert · 190 m from the centreOutdoors · About 15 min
- LakesKellyville LakeBallintubbert · 1.3 km from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- Waymarks and guidepostsCobbler's Castle Walk; Car ParkBallintubbert · 1.9 km from the centre
- CastlesTullamoy Castle (ruins)2.2 km south-west of BallintubbertSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- Holy wellsToberneeve2.5 km south of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 15 min
- Holy wellsTobernasool2.5 km south of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 15 min
- WoodsHairyhead Wood2.7 km north of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 40 min
- Holy wellsTobernataggart3.4 km south-west of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 15 min
- WoodsBallykilcavan Wood3.5 km north of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 40 min
- Ringforts and sitesDun of Clopook3.8 km south-west of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 20 min
- Ringforts and sitesThe Dun of Luggacurren4 km south-west of BallintubbertOutdoors · About 20 min
- Historic churchesChurch (in ruins)4 km south-west of BallintubbertSome of it indoors
- RuinsRathadaire House (ruins)Ballybrittas · 1.1 km from the centreOutdoors · About 20 min
- LakesRathdaire LakeBallybrittas · 1.8 km from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- HillsGarryvacum HillBallybrittas Old · 780 m from the centreOutdoors
- WoodsSpringfield ClumpBallybrittas Old · 900 m from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- HillsSandy HillBallybrittas Old · 1.8 km from the centreOutdoors
- HillsLough Hill2.1 km north-west of Ballybrittas OldOutdoors
- HillsPayne's Hill2.8 km west of Ballybrittas OldOutdoors
- Ringforts and sitesRath MoreBallybrophy · 1.2 km from the centreOutdoors · About 20 min
- MuseumsDonaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum2.6 km south of BallybrophyIndoors · About 1 hr
- HillsCoady's HillBallycuddahy · 1.1 km from the centreOutdoors
- CastlesGortnaclea Castle (ruins)Ballycuddahy · 1.9 km from the centreSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- WoodsGortnaclea WoodBallycuddahy · 1.9 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- Ringforts and sitesScots Rath2 km east of BallycuddahyOutdoors · About 20 min
- HillsShean Hill2.5 km north-east of BallycuddahyOutdoors
- HillsCurmellian Hill3.1 km north of BallycuddahyOutdoors
- HillsFurzy Hill3.4 km north of BallycuddahyOutdoors
- CastlesKilleany Castle (ruins)4.1 km north-east of BallycuddahySome of it indoors · About 45 min
- PlaygroundsBallylynan Community PlaygroundBallylynan · 170 m from the centreOutdoors · About 45 min
- ParksWynne ParkBallylynan · 210 m from the centreOutdoors · About 30 min
- RuinsBallylynan Windmill (ruins)Ballylynan · 1.2 km from the centreOutdoors · About 20 min
- Waymarks and guidepostsGordon Bennett RouteBallylynan · 2.0 km from the centre
- RuinsSite of Rathaspick Church (C of I)2.5 km south-west of BallylynanOutdoors · About 20 min
- Ringforts and sitesBallylehane Castle2.7 km south-west of BallylynanOutdoors · About 20 min
- MonumentsBarrowhouse Ambush2.8 km east of BallylynanOutdoors · About 15 min
- Historic churchesTecolm Church (ruins)3.1 km west of BallylynanSome of it indoors
- Ringforts and sitesBoley Fort3.7 km south-west of BallylynanOutdoors · About 20 min
- Ringforts and sitesCoorlaghan Ringfort12 km south of BallylynanOutdoors · About 20 min
- WoodsConcrete PlantationBallyroan · 2.0 km from the centreOutdoors · About 40 min
- WoodsConcrete Plantation2.4 km north-west of BallyroanOutdoors · About 40 min
- LakesPigeon House Pond2.5 km south-east of BallyroanOutdoors · About 30 min
- HillsCullenagh Mountain3.2 km east of BallyroanOutdoors
- HillsRock of Cashel3.7 km north of BallyroanOutdoors
- CastlesBallyknockan Castle5 km north-east of BallyroanSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- CastlesDerrin Castle (in ruins)Borris-in-Ossory · 1.4 km from the centreSome of it indoors · About 45 min
- HillsSentry HillBorris-in-Ossory · 1.6 km from the centreOutdoors
- Holy wellsSt. Kieran's Well2.6 km south-east of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 15 min
- ParksKilcotton GAA Grounds3.7 km east of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 30 min
- CastlesBallaghmore Castle5.5 km north-west of Borris-in-OssorySome of it indoors · About 45 min
- LakesForked Lough6.3 km west of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 30 min
- LakesBlack Lough6.7 km west of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 30 min
- HillsMoll Joy's Hill7.4 km north-west of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors
- Ringforts and sitesGrahan's Castle9 km north of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 20 min
- HillsGarraunbaun9.4 km north-west of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors
- Ringforts and sitesBurial Ground9.5 km north of Borris-in-OssoryOutdoors · About 20 min
By kind of place
Town by town
- Things to do in Portlaoise51
- Things to do in Emo42
- Things to do in Stradbally36
- Things to do in Clonaslee25
- Things to do in Mountrath20
- Things to do in Ballintubbert17
- Things to do in Abbeyleix15
- Things to do in Rathdowney14
- Things to do in Mountmellick13
- Things to do in Ballinakill12
- Things to do in Borris-in-Ossory12
- Things to do in Cullahill12
- Things to do in Killeshin12
- Things to do in Timahoe12
- Things to do in Portarlington10
- Things to do in Ballycuddahy10
- Things to do in Ballylynan10
- Things to do in Raheen10
- Things to do in Ballacolla9
- Things to do in Durrow8
- Things to do in Errill8
- Things to do in Ballyroan6
- Things to do in Ballybrittas Old5
- Things to do in Killeen5
- Things to do in Arles4
- Things to do in Monavea4
- Things to do in Vicarstown4
- Things to do in Castletown3
- Things to do in Killenard3
- Things to do in The Swan3
- Things to do in Attanagh2
- Things to do in Ballybrittas2
- Things to do in Ballybrophy2
- Things to do in Fisherstown1
- Things to do in Rosenallis1
Questions people ask
How many things are there to do in County Laois?
The map records 403 places worth visiting inside the county boundary, spread over 35 towns and villages. That is how many the map holds, which is not how many there are: anything nobody has mapped is missing.
What counts as being in the county?
The County Laois boundary encloses it, taken from the OpenStreetMap administrative boundaries. That is a different question from which town is nearest, and this page answers only the first. 369 places near a County Laois town sit across a boundary and are not listed here.
Are these in any particular order?
Places with photographs appear first. Within each group, places are ordered by their nearest town and then by distance from its centre. This is not a popularity ranking.
Is there an admission charge?
This page does not say, because it does not know. The map records a fee on about one place in a hundred, which is far too few to build a list on. Each place links to whoever runs it.
Places, names and kinds are OpenStreetMap records. Which county encloses a place, which town it is nearest, and every distance here are this site’s own calculations from those records. Where a place carries a checked note, it names who said so and the day somebody read it.