Top Things to do in County Laois
Top 8 Budget-friendly Things to do in County Laois, Province of Leinster
Discover the best top things to do in County Laois, Ireland including The Fisherman's Thatched Inn, Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, Emo Court, Rock of Dunamase, Bobs Bar Durrow, Heywood Gardens, Kavanaghs Bar & Venue, Sally Gardens Pub.
Restaurants in County Laois
1. The Fisherman's Thatched Inn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By Q698PAconorm
Thanks a million for your hospitality!! My Australian friends thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the pub and history lesson of the area !! Always a pleasure thanks Sean !!!
2. Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By amI4150LM
Everyone visiting Ireland should make a commitment to stop and learn about the Famine that shaped so much of Irish history and immigration impact, etc. We stopped at this one to break up the drive back from the Cliffs to Wicklow area. I highly recommend the museum. We learned a lot about the Famine through the short video, building, and the guide. It was an unexpected last minute added stop for our trip and one of the most memorable things we did. It is a cheap entrance fee and not a lot of people stop or at least didn't when we were there - so it wasn't busy --- which was nice for our visit so we could take it all in, but sort of sad at the same time --- hope it was just a slow time when we went and more tourists do stop! P.S. The folks there are full of info and recommendations for other things to do if you are looking for advice too -- We actually added one additional stop to our trip due to advice provided while here too....which also was well worth it. Depending how quickly you go through it you could do this in less than an hour...I THINK we stayed about an hour.
3. Emo Court
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By 368kristinek
Free walk and parking. Great amenity in Laois. Lots of space for roaming around and a picnic is ideal. We did not go to the cafe, so can't comment on that.
4. Rock of Dunamase
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By 882AnneC - Boston, United States
Was so excited to visit this hilltop fort. Absolutely gorgeous views in every direction!! So many areas to explore and get different views of the beautiful surroundings! Park at church below, wonderful hidden gem, worth going out of the way to find!!!
5. Bobs Bar Durrow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Family run pub in the heart of the Ireland. Weekly entertainment. Multiple museums & snugs. Home of the High Nelly cycling club
Reviewed By Coastal39920
fantastic place , its very authentic ,my American friends loved it they hae place is very old dates back to the 17's unbelievable .. lovely river runs to the rear , if weather is good ,,loads of seating out back by the river
6. Heywood Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By Martin1982_12 - Province of Leinster, Ireland
I only live 30km from this gem and had been here about 30 years as a young boy. My word, they are just gorgeous! So well maintained, it’s only such a shame the house was demolished in the 50s. It’s a pity more isn’t made of the gardens from a marketing and tourism point of view. Like a nice coffee shop. Well worth a visit if visiting Kilkenny Laois area- this needs to be integrated into a proper itinerary as it would be a lovely day trip from Kilkenny city coupled with the Discovery park, Abbeyleix and the Slieve blooms- we are hopeless at marketing in this country, we should be shouting from the rooftops about gems like these
7. Kavanaghs Bar & Venue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 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 lisadP3485RO - Portlaoise, Ireland
We booked a table here last night, first proper night out with covid restrictions it was a great night and so good to feel somewhat back to normal in a pub,the pizza was lovely and the staff were brilliant from Dave behind the bar to Craig serving us at the table to Trisha on the burgers all doing a fantastic job we will definitely be back, thanks to Pj Kavanagh and the staff for making our night out as normal as possible under the circumstances of covid restrictions.
8. Sally Gardens Pub
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By eimearl2020
Great place to go day or night for a Drink. All staff very friendly and helpful nice atmosphere. Also right on the main street in Portlaoise.
