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Located
in the heart of the Irish Midlands is the picturesque County
Laois. Covering an area of 664 square miles and with a population
of over 52,000, Laois is a county of great contrasts from the
wild hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the gentle landscape
of the Central Valley. There are more than 1,000 historical
sites in the county, covering a historical period of 8,500 years.
Laois had a strong Christian settlement by the sixth century
and bears its name from Ludghaidh Laoigheseach, descendant of
the Knights of Ulster. County Laois has also been known as 'Queens
County' during the reign of Queen Mary.
County Laois offers a range of activities to its visitors from
excellent golf to horse riding and fishing. Laois is blessed
with two fine rivers, the River Nore and the River Barrow, both
providing superb angling. Hillwalking and cycling are two favourite
pastimes in the glorious Slieve Bloom Mountains. Beautiful gardens,
historic monuments and a fine heritage centre all contribute
to the attraction of County Laois.
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| Principle
towns of County Laois |
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The
county capital of Portlaoise, the heritage town of Abbeyleix,
Portarlington, Stradbally, Mountmellick, Rathdowney and Mountrath.
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| Business
Information |
|
County
Laois traditionally has had an agricultural based economy.
There is still mixed farming on the land of grain, dairy and
sheep. A food industry has grown from this and has expanded
to include drinks, bread and confectionery. There are several
small manufacturing businesses in Laois including the production
of tennis balls, steel and engineering, furniture and building
materials. Telecommunications and the public sector are large
employers for the county. The Laois County Enterprise Board
and the Leader Rural Development Company support the growth
and development of business in County Laois.
| Helpful contact
details for business enquiries |
| Laois
County Enterprise Board |
Tel
(353) 057 8661800 |
| Enterprise
Ireland Regional Office |
Tel
(353) 0902 74959 |
| Laois
Leader Rural Development Company |
Tel
(353) 0502 61900 |
| TEAGASC |
Tel
(353) 0502 21326 |
| Portlaoise
Chamber of Commerce |
Tel
(353) 0502 21329 |
| Other sources of
finance applicable to business start up, development and
acquisition, and related agencies are as follows: |
| Credit
Unions: |
TEL
(353) 01 490 8911 |
| National
Irish Bank: |
TEL
(353) 01 678 5066 |
| Ulster
Bank (Small Enterprise Unit): |
TEL
(353) 01 677 7623 |
| Bank
of Ireland Enterprise Support Unit: |
contact
any branch |
Allied
Irish Bank Strategic Development
Business Banking: |
TEL
(353) 01 660 0311 |
| Smurfit
Job Creation Enterprise Fund: |
TEL
(353) 01 478 4091 |
The
Dept. Of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: TEL (353)
01 661 4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has extensive
and very helpful advice on all aspects of business employment
in Ireland, including a business start up information pack
which is superbly put together and includes everything from
planning, funding, locating, employing people and business
development.
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| Travel
(see also town guides) |
|
County
Laois is ideally located in the centre of Ireland as is accessible
by main roads from Dublin to the southeast and southwest of
Ireland. Irish Rail run a daily service from Dublin to Cork,
Limerick and Tralee via Portlaoise. The nearest airport to
County Laois is Aer Rianta Dublin Airport. Bus Eireann also
run a service across the county. By ferry, the nearest seaport
is Dun Laoghaire in County Dublin.
Laois
Tourism (353) 0502 30143
Bus
Bus Eireann (353) 01 836 6111
www.buseireann.ie
Airport
Aer Rianta Dublin (353) 01 814 1111
www.dublin-airport.com
Train
Iarnrod Eireann (353) 0502 23128
www.club.ie/railnet
Ferry
Services
Irish Ferries (353) 01 551995
www.irishferries.ie
Stena
Line (353) 01 204 7700
www.stenaline.com
Swansea
Cork Ferries (353) 021 271166
www.swansea-cork.ie
P&O
Ferries (44) 0870 2424777
www.poef.com
Tourism,
Leisure, Accommodation (please see town guides)
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