Storm Éowyn Response
Work to address storm damage will continue throughout the weekend by Laois County Council crews.
Emergency calls should be directed to 999 or 112.
For latest alerts please click here
Heritage Publications
- Books and leaflets on Laois Heritage
- Laois Heritage Plans
- Laois Tourism Publications
- Portlaoise 2040 Public Realm Strategy
- Laois Heritage Office Research and Reports
- For schools and children
- Some other books published on the Heritage Of Laois
A range of publications on the built, natural and cultural heritage of County Laois are available. Click on any of the titles below to download as pdf. If there is a report you want that’s not listed here, please email the Heritage Office.
Books and leaflets on Laois Heritage | ||
|---|---|---|
Publication | Publication Name | Description |
| Gardening for Biodiversity | This booklet by Juanita Browne with illustrations by Barry Reynolds aims to assist anyone who wants to help wildlife in their gardens, no matter how big or small. The booklet was produced by Laois County Council with the assistance of Local Authority Heritage Officers across Ireland, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Heritage Council. Taking a very practical approach, the book details projects to help wildlife of all kinds under a range of headings, with tasks suitable for everyone from the total beginner to the more ambitious DIY enthusiast. With clear instructions and step-by-step drawings by illustrator Barry Reynolds, the guide offers the gardener lots of options to help our biodiversity. Hard copies of the booklet are also available on request – email the Heritage Office |
| Gardening for Biodiversity Colouring Book | The Gardening for biodiversity colouring book is the children’s companion to the Gardening for Biodiversity booklet, with more beautiful illustrations from Barry Reynolds. |
| Gardening for biodiversity Irish version/Garraíodóireacht ar son na Bithéagsúlachta | Tá an leabhar “Garraíodóireacht ar son na Bithéagsúlachta” foilsithe i nGaeilge anois, le tacaíocht ón bPlean Gníomhaíochta Náisiúnta Bithéagsúlachta. Is féidir an leabhar a íoslódáil saor in aisce anseo agus beidh cóipeanna crua ar fáil go luath. |
| Heritage Guide to the Heath | Heritage Guide to the Heath, published by Wordwell Books as part of their “Heritage Guide” series, in association with Archaeology Ireland. Written by local Archaeologist Dr Eoin Sullivan, this guide describes the Bronze Age landscape of the Heath, featuring wonderful reconstructions of Ring Barrows by Dave Pollock. Supported by the Heritage Council and Laois County Council. Download for free, or hard copies are available to purchase from Wordwell Books, cost €5. |
| Mapping Laois | Arnold Horner’s masterwork “Mapping Laois” is available from bookshops and online from the publisher Wordwell Books. The book was supported by Laois County Council and the Heritage Council. |
| Geology of Laois and Offaly | Geology of Laois and Offaly, by John Feehan, Offaly County Council, 2013. This book was supported by Laois and Offaly County Council and the Heritage Council. Available from local bookshops or from Offaly History. |
 | Saving Swifts | A new booklet with hints and tips on how to make our towns and villages more suitable for swifts, produced by Laois Heritage Office and BirdWatch Ireland, in partnership with the Heritage Officer Network and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Available to download here or to order in hard copy from Laois Heritage Office. |
| Thatched houses in Laois | Book on Thatched houses in Laois Download for free. Also available in hard copy, from Amazon or via Laois Heritage Office. |
 | The Mountmellick Canal | Download for free. Also available in hard copy, from Amazon or via Laois Heritage Office. |
 | Laois Folk Tales | Laois Folk Tales, by Nuala Hayes, with original artwork by artist Rita Duffy. Published by the History Press Ireland, with support from Laois County Council and the Heritage Council in 2015. Available in bookshops or from the History Press. |
 | Laois Garden Trail (English) | Learn the history and heritage of our famous gardens. Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
 | Laois Heritage Trail | Learn the history of Laois in a guided audio tour Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Chinese |
 | Portlaoise Heritage Trail | Learn the history of Portlaoise through our heritage brochure. |
Laois Heritage Plans | ||
Publication | Publication name | Description |
 | Laois Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2021 - 2026 | Laois Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2021 - 2026 |
 | Laois Heritage Plan 2014 - 2019 | Laois Heritage Plan 2014 - 2019 |
 | Laois Heritage Plan2007-2011 | Laois Heritage Plan 2007-2011 |
 | Laois Heritage Plan2002-2006 | Laois Heritage Plan 2002-2006 |
Laois Tourism Publications | ||
Publication | Publication name | Description |
 | Abbeyleix Heritage Town. | Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. |
 | Donaghmore Workhouse and Agricultural Museum. | Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
 | Timahoe Round Tower. | Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. |
 | Rock of Dunamase | Also available in Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. |
Portlaoise 2040 Public Realm Strategy
2040 A Portlaoise Vision – strategy for a new town centre
Laois Heritage Office Research and Reports
Natural heritage
- Laois Swift Survey
- Audit of Geology in Laois, 2016, Part I Report
- Audit of Geology in Laois, 2016, Part II Site Reports
- Survey of bats in Laois County Council properties, 2008
- Laois Bridges Bird Survey Report – FINAL, 2007
- Survey of Bats in Bridges, Laois and Offaly 2007
- Survey of Ecology and Industrial Heritage of the Mountmellick Canal 2006: Main Report and Appendices
- Audit of Laois Natural Heritage Data 2006
- Laois Hedgerow Report 2005
- Esker Survey report 2005, Appendices and Habitat Maps
Laois habitats surveys 2005- 2010
- Laois Habitats Survey 2005
- Laois Habitats Survey 2006
- Laois Habitats Survey 2007
- Laois Habitat Survey 2008 and Appendices
- Laois Habitats Survey 2009
- Laois Habitats Survey 2010
Built heritage
- Dysartgallen Conservation Management Plan 2020
- Timahoe Monastic Site Conservation Plan 2018
- Fort Protector Conservation Plan
- Old St Peter’s Graveyard Archaeological Report 2016
- Abbeyleix Sustainable Communities Plan report 2011
- Survey of Architecture in Portlaoise 2008, Part I Report
- Laois Thatch Survey 2007 Vol I
- Laois Bridges Survey 2007 Part I Final Report
- Laois Bridges Survey Part 2 Vol I (site reports North Laois)
- Laois Bridges Survey Part 2 Vol II (site reports South Laois)
- Laois Mills Survey 2005. Part I: Report
- Laois Mills Survey 2005. Part II: Site Inventory
Cultural heritage
- Laois Burial Ground Survey 2011, Part I Report
- Laois Burial Ground Survey 2011, Part II Site Gazeteer
- Built and Natural Heritage of the Mountmellick Canal Survey (2006)
- Rearymore Cemetery Inscriptions – The Story of How They Were Documented
For schools and children
- Wild Things at School Workbook
- Wild Things at School extra worksheets – English, Monaghan Co Co 2012
- Wild Things at School extra worksheets – Gaeilge, Monaghan Co Co 2012
Some other books published on the Heritage Of Laois
- Tapestry of Light, by Tina Claffey, Artisan House 2017. Available from local bookshops or Artisan House.
- Laois, An Environmental History, by John Feehan, Ballykilcavan Press, 1983 (out of print – available in Laois Branch Libraries)
- The Quiet County by Mike Rafter, 2nd edition 2016. Available from local bookshops.
- Laois History and Society by Padraig G Lane & WIlliam Nolan. Geography Publications, 1999
- The Landscape of Slieve Bloom by John Feehan (1979, reprinted 2010). Available locally or from Offaly History.