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Located in the heart of the
Irish Midlands is the picturesque County Laois. Covering an area of 664 square miles and
with a population of over 52,000, Laois is a county of great contrasts from the wild hills
of the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the gentle landscape of the Central Valley. There are
more than 1,000 historical sites in the county, covering a historical period of 8,500
years. Laois had a strong Christian settlement by the sixth century and bears its name
from Ludghaidh Laoigheseach, descendant of the Knights of Ulster. County Laois has also
been known as 'Queens County' during the reign of Queen Mary.
County Laois offers a range of activities to its visitors from excellent golf to horse
riding and fishing. Laois is blessed with two fine rivers, the River Nore and the River
Barrow, both providing superb angling. Hillwalking and cycling are two favourite pastimes
in the glorious Slieve Bloom Mountains. Beautiful gardens, historic monuments and a fine
heritage centre all contribute to the attraction of County Laois.
|
| Principle
towns of County Laois |
|
The county capital of
Portlaoise, the heritage town of Abbeyleix, Portarlington, Stradbally, Mountmellick,
Rathdowney and Mountrath.
|
| Business
Information |
|
County Laois traditionally has
had an agricultural based economy. There is still mixed farming on the land of grain,
dairy and sheep. A food industry has grown from this and has expanded to include drinks,
bread and confectionery. There are several small manufacturing businesses in Laois
including the production of tennis balls, steel and engineering, furniture and building
materials. Telecommunications and the public sector are large employers for the county.
The Laois County Enterprise Board and the Leader Rural Development Company support the
growth and development of business in County Laois.
| Helpful contact details for business
enquiries |
| Laois County Enterprise Board |
Tel
(353) 0502 61800 |
| Enterprise Ireland Regional
Office |
Tel
(353) 0902 74959 |
| Laois Leader Rural
Development Company |
Tel
(353) 0502 61900 |
| TEAGASC |
Tel
(353) 0502 21326 |
| Portlaoise Chamber of
Commerce |
Tel
(353) 0502 21329 |
| Other sources of finance applicable to
business start up, development and acquisition, and related agencies are as follows: |
| Credit Unions: |
TEL
(353) 01 490 8911 |
| National Irish Bank: |
TEL
(353) 01 678 5066 |
| Ulster Bank (Small Enterprise
Unit): |
TEL
(353) 01 677 7623 |
| Bank of Ireland Enterprise
Support Unit: |
contact
any branch |
Allied Irish Bank Strategic
Development
Business Banking: |
TEL
(353) 01 660 0311 |
| Smurfit Job Creation
Enterprise Fund: |
TEL
(353) 01 478 4091 |
The Dept. Of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment: TEL (353) 01 661 4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has extensive and very helpful
advice on all aspects of business employment in Ireland, including a business start up
information pack which is superbly put together and includes everything from planning,
funding, locating, employing people and business development.
|
| Travel
(see also town guides) |
|
County Laois is ideally
located in the centre of Ireland as is accessible by main roads from Dublin to the
southeast and southwest of Ireland. Irish Rail run a daily service from Dublin to Cork,
Limerick and Tralee via Portlaoise. The nearest airport to County Laois is Aer Rianta
Dublin Airport. Bus Eireann also run a service across the county. By ferry, the nearest
seaport is Dun Laoghaire in County Dublin.
Laois Tourism
(353) 0502 30143
Bus
Bus Eireann (353) 01 836 6111
www.buseireann.ie
Airport
Aer Rianta Dublin (353) 01 814 1111
www.dublin-airport.com
Train
Iarnrod Eireann (353) 0502 23128
www.club.ie/railnet
Ferry Services
Irish Ferries (353) 01 551995
www.irishferries.ie
Stena Line (353) 01 204 7700
www.stenaline.com
Swansea Cork Ferries (353) 021
271166
www.swansea-cork.ie
P&O Ferries (44) 0870
2424777
www.poef.com
Tourism, Leisure,
Accommodation (please see town guides)
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