Welcome to Portlaoise

Portlaoise is a very interesting town in County Laois, right in the middle of Ireland. Many, many years ago, even before your great-great-great-grandparents were born, this place was called "Fort of the King." Isn't that a cool name?

Back in those times, people built large, round stone towers called castles to protect themselves. One such castle was built right here in Portlaoise in the 16th century! Can you picture it? Big, tall walls and maybe even a dragon or two!

But don't worry, there aren't any dragons now. Instead, you'll find lovely parks, schools, and shops in Portlaoise. One special building that has been there for a really long time is the St. Peter's Church. It's been standing tall for more than 300 years!

Today, Portlaoise is a bustling town with lots of people, but it still remembers its historical roots. It's like a storybook town, filled with tales of the past and dreams of the future. So, every time you visit, remember, you're stepping into a piece of Ireland's rich history.

  1. What was Portlaoise called many, many years ago?
  2. What did people build in the 16th century to protect themselves?
  3. What is one building in Portlaoise that has been standing for more than 300 years?
  4. Why do you think it's important for towns like Portlaoise to remember their historical roots?
  5. If you could visit Portlaoise, what would you most like to see and why?

All About Portlaoise

Portlaoise, pronounced "Port-leash," is a lovely town in the county of Laois, right in the heart of Ireland. It's surrounded by beautiful countryside, with the Slieve Bloom Mountains not far away. These ancient mountains have walking trails, where you can discover different types of trees, plants, and maybe even spot a red squirrel or two!

In Portlaoise itself, Main Street is a bustling spot, full of shops and cafés. There's also a grand building called the Portlaoise Parish Church, which is very old and very large!

The town is criss-crossed by two rivers - the Triogue and the Southern Circular. These rivers are home to a variety of fish and water birds. If you're really lucky, you might even spot a kingfisher!

One unique feature in the town is the old Fort Protector. It was built to protect the town in the past and is now a cool historical site.

Portlaoise is also known for its lovely parks, like the People's Park, with colourful playgrounds, beautiful flower beds, and even some fascinating sculptures. These parks are great for picnics or for just a fun day out playing with friends.

  1. What does the name 'Portlaoise' mean and why is it pronounced the way it is?
  2. What types of trees, plants, or animals might you find on a walk in the Slieve Bloom Mountains?
  3. Using a map, can you identify the two rivers that criss-cross Portlaoise? What direction do they flow in?
  4. Find out more about the history of the Fort Protector. Why was it built and what was its purpose?
  5. Take a trip to one of Portlaoise's parks or the town itself. Draw or describe a geographical feature you find interesting.

My Family and Portlaoise

Hi, I'm Frankie, and I'm 8 years old. I live in a town called Portlaoise in Co. Laois. Every day, I get to see lots of cool things here. Like, there's this place called Portlaoise Prison. No, I haven't been inside, silly! But it looks big and scary from outside. I sometimes imagine it as a giant's castle.

There's also this place called Dunamaise Arts Centre. It’s where I go to watch plays and shows, and it’s really fun. Oh, and did I mention the Rock of Dunamaise? It's an old castle ruin on a big rock. I like to pretend I'm a knight defending the castle when I go there.

Also, there's this really big park, the People’s Park. We have picnics there, play on the swings and slide, and sometimes we just lie on the grass and watch the clouds. I love my town Portlaoise. It's my own little world filled with adventures and fun!

  1. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in Frankie’s town? What would you do there?
  2. If you were to visit the Dunamaise Arts Centre, what kind of show would you like to watch?
  3. How would you feel if you saw the Portlaoise Prison? Would it be scary or interesting for you?
  4. If you were a knight at the Rock of Dunamaise, how would you defend your castle?
  5. What would you do in the People's Park? Would you play on the swings or lie on the grass?

The Logainm of Portlaoise

Portlaoise, a town in County Laois, Ireland, has a special name. In Irish, it's called "Port Laoise," which means "Fort of Laois." This name comes from its history. Long ago, in the 16th century, there was a fort built by the British to protect themselves from Irish clans. This fort was in a place they called "Laois," and so the town that grew around it became known as "Fort of Laois" or "Portlaoise."

Over time, the fort is gone, but the name stuck and the town grew. Today, Portlaoise is a bustling town with shops, schools, and lots of people. The name "Portlaoise" is still a reminder of its past. It tells us about the time when there was a fort, and it honours the county it's a part of - County Laois.

  1. What does "Port Laoise" mean in English?
  2. Why was the town of Portlaoise named as it is?
  3. What was built in the 16th century that gave Portlaoise its name?
  4. How does the name "Portlaoise" remind us of the town's past?
  5. Who built the fort that Portlaoise was named after?

Slideshow - Portlaoise
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Portlaoise