Folklore
The Tales, Stories, and Folklore of Laois
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Old Fort Quarter Festival
We’re delighted to support the day time events of the Old Fort Quarter Festival again this year with activities for the whole family. Our President and Vice-President are hosting their annual walking tours at 2pm both Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th – link to book is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-heritage-tours-at-the-old-fort-quarter-festival-2025-tickets-1376207817629 Our Vice-Chair and local historian Regina Dunne will give an early morning historical tour of The Rock of Dunamase with folklorist and storyteller Michelle Quirke, and some medieval music to entertain you all, no booking necessary, just come along at the base of the Rock of Dunamase from 11am. We’re excited to have reenactors, medieval costume specialists, woodcrafters, and more on the…
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Portlaoise: Forty Historical Facts
Portlaoise: Forty Historical Facts. By John Dunne 1. The town grew up around a fort established by English settlers in 1548. In 1557 it was named Maryborough in honour of Queen Mary. 2. In October 1920, the Town Commission passed a resolution that Maryborough be renamed Portlaoise. In recent years, a local historian attributed the change of name to “a fit of pseudo-patriotism”. In 1959, Laois County Councillors were still discussing whether we were living in Maryborough or Portlaoise; Queen’s County or Laois. 3. In the mid 18th century, there were about 400 electors in the town – one of whom, as a fascinating document from 1760 makes clear, would…
