Begin in the grounds
Emo Court Gardens gives a Laois day out a clear starting point. Check the current visitor arrangements and choose the parts of the grounds you want to spend time in. If an interior visit interests you, confirm it separately rather than making it an assumption when planning the day.
At the Rock of Dunamase
The Rock of Dunamase offers a different outing near Portlaoise. Go to look at the remains and their setting, and use the available interpretation to learn more about the place. A ruin calls for care underfoot; plan the visit around the conditions and the needs of the people coming with you.
Make a local afternoon of it
Abbeyleix, Durrow and Portlaoise are options to consider for lunch, a browse or an overnight base. Choose one that fits the main visit. If the Slieve Bloom area is what really draws you, research a suitable route and give it a day of its own. A garden afternoon and a walking day need different amounts of preparation.
Useful links
Before you go
Check current estate opening and access, and research any Slieve Bloom walk independently of this short guide.
Featured image: Port Laoise – Rock of Dunamase – 20220922112807 — Markiemcg1 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP. No scene changes. Image retains the stated source licence.
