Tourist Places to Visit in Portlaoise, Ireland, Europe

Tourist Places to Visit in Portlaoise, Ireland, Europe

Portlaoise is situated in the center of Ireland at an average elevation of 139 meters (456 feet) above the sea level is a county town in Laois County in Leinster Province. Portlaoise is surrounded by few tourist destinations and mountains and woods and the economy of the town depends on commercial, retail and arts centre.

Portlaoise is bounded by mountmellick, Athy, Carlow, Castlecomer, Durrow, Abbeyleix, Mountrath, and Monasterevin towns and located just 90 kilometers from Dublin, capital of Ireland. Coordinates of Portlaoise are 53.0309° N, 7.3008° W.

History of Portlaoise:

Portlaoise was called as Port Laoighisi during 16^th century and settlement was established around the old fort “Fort of Leix”. During the rule of Queen Mary in the year 1557, the town was planned by an act of Parliament and town was named as Maryborough. Corporation of the borough town was established by Queen Elizabeth I in the year 1570 and various buildings posts were constructed. After the establishment of Irish Free State, the town was renamed as Portlaoighise but later renamed as Portlaoise.

Must See in Portlaoise:

Fort of Leix:

Fort of Leix is also called as Fort of Protector is situated at the distance of 2 kilometers from middle of the town was one of the renowned forts during 16^th century and construction of the castle began in 1548, under the guidance of Lord Deputy Sir Edward Bellingham along the river is one of the best castle to visit in the town.

Dunamase Castle:

Dunamase Castle is situated at the distance of 5 kilometers from center of the town is situated at normal elevation of 46 meters (151 feet) above the sea level is an 800 year old castle but at present tourists can see the ruins of the castle and the site is worth to visit.

Slieve Bloom Mountains:

Slieve Bloom Mountains are situated around 30 kilometers from Portlaoise town is one of the best site to visit surrounded by chain of mountains and woods and walking trails are constructed for the pleasure of the tourists.

Round Tower:

Round Tower is situated at the distance of 50 kilometers from centre of the town is surrounded by charming fertile valley in the county of Laois in Timahoe and monastery is situated near the tower.

Other Places to Visit in Portlaoise:

Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum
Irish Fly Fishing And Game Shooting Museum

Best time to visit Portlaoise:

Best time to visit Portlaoise is from month of June to September during these month climate will be pleasant and best time to enjoy throughout the city.

Getting to Portlaoise:

By Air:

Dublin Airport is situated at the distance of 100 kilometers from Portlaoise town in Dublin city and the airport is the gateway to enter the country, from the airport tourists can board bus or train or can hire taxi to reach Portlaoise town.

By Train:

Train is the best way to reach the town from distinct parts of the county and from Dublin airport regular trains will function to Portlaoise and trains are available to and from Limerick and Cork cities as well.

By Road:

Buses are available to Portlaoise from different parts of the town in the county and long distance buses will operate from Dublin, Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick and Athlone cities.

Accommodation in Portlaoise:

Portlaoise is one of the main towns in Laoise County and there are few hotels in the town that boasts world class accommodation facilities to the tourists visiting the town during the summer season and hotels are traditionally designed with modern amenities like luggage storage, dry cleaning, newspapers, 24-hour front desk, room service, heating, internet services, and tourist information. Some of the renowned hotels in Portlaoise are as follows: