Public Amenity Parks in Laois

The public parks of County Laois are situated in the towns of Portlaoise, Portarlington Abbeyleix and Mountrath.

The Peoples Park is laid out with paths, a lake which attracts lots of wildlife, lots of trees and shrubs offering nesting sites for a variety of wild birds.  There is also a playground "Solas na Greine" which offers a great variety of play equipment for children from the ages 1 to 8.  Opening hours for the Peoples Park are 8.30am to 9.30pm during the summer and 8.30am to 6.30pm during winter months. Portlaoise Playground

River Triogue Park offers a river walk that links Green Mill Lane with the town centre at Millview.  The planting of a variety of trees and shrubs in this park offer lots of scope for wildlife to nest and live in the park.  Local children use the park as a safe way to walk to school with the help of the "Walking School Bus" put in place by Community and Enterprise Section Laois County Council.  Opening hours for the River Triogue Park are 8.30am to 9.30pm during the summer and 8.30am to 6.30pm during winter months. 

Portarlington has a public park situated off the Eastern Link Road and is bordered on one side by the River Barrow and on the other side by the Community Centre and Swimming Pool.  There are pathways through the park with mature Oak trees, picnic tables and seating areas. In 2005 a new playground "Pairc Spraoi na hAbhann" was opened offering play facilities for children from the ages 1 to 14. Portarlington Playground

Abbeyleix Town Park is near the centre of the town in an area known locally as "Jelly’s Pit".  There are playing pitches, tennis courts and a community centre with a children’s playground. Abbeyleix Playground 

Mountrath Amenity Park is off the main Limerick road and provides lots of areas to picnic or sit and enjoy the scenery.  The Mountrath River which runs into the River Nore flows through the park and incorporates a stepping stone crossing point.  There are lovely mature trees, and a sculpture in the park. In 2006 a new playground was opened "Slí na bpaisti" which has lots of interesting play equipment for children. Mountrath Playground

More information is available under Leisure & Culture and Parks & Recreation

Information on nature and heritage sites in County Laois is available from the following web sites:

Heritage Council: http://www.heritagecouncil.ie 

National Parks and Wildlife Service: www.npws.ie