County Laois Guide: Local Services, Businesses and News

Laois at a glance

Laois sits at the crossroads of Ireland, where the M7 and M8 motorways split. With direct trains from Portlaoise to Dublin, it's one of the most accessible counties in the midlands, and a popular choice for families moving out of Dublin and Kildare.

The county is also rich in heritage and outdoor spaces: the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the Rock of Dunamase, Emo Court and the heritage towns of Abbeyleix and Durrow. Every September, Stradbally hosts Electric Picnic, one of Ireland's biggest festivals.

That mix of fast-growing towns and rural communities creates steady demand for local trades, childcare and family services.

Laois County Council handles planning permission, roads, housing, libraries and local property tax queries. Report potholes, dumping or broken street lights directly to the council.

• Bins and recycling: household waste is collected by private operators, so compare the providers that serve your area.
• Water: managed by Uisce Éireann. Many rural homes use private wells and septic tanks.
• Motor tax: renew online at motortax.ie.
• Getting around: Portlaoise and Portarlington have trains to Dublin Heuston, and the M7 and M8 connect Laois to Dublin, Limerick and Cork.

New estates in Portlaoise and Portarlington mean high demand for home services, so book good tradespeople early.

Finding the right tradesperson in Laois is easier with a few simple checks:

1. Get three written quotes for any job over a few hundred euro, and confirm whether VAT is included.

2. Ask for proof of insurance before work starts, especially for roofing, building and tree work.

3. Check registrations: electricians should be registered with Safe Electric, and gas installers with RGII. For home energy grants, use an SEAI-registered contractor.

4. Septic tanks: use a contractor with a valid waste collection permit for desludging.

5. Book early for winter: boiler services and chimney cleaning get busy from October.

6. Ask about travel costs: many Laois tradespeople cover the whole midlands, so check whether call-out charges apply to your area.

Search Laois tradespeople on Leinster Local and send an enquiry directly to the business, with no account needed.

Laois's central location lets businesses serve customers right across the midlands. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Local Enterprise Office Laois offers mentoring, training and grants for small businesses, including Trading Online Vouchers.
• List your full service area: if you cover Offaly, Kildare, Kilkenny or Tipperary too, say so on your listing.
• Plan for Electric Picnic: the festival weekend in September brings huge visitor numbers to Stradbally and the surrounding towns.
• Complete your listing: businesses with photos, opening hours and a full description get more enquiries.

List your Laois business free on Leinster Local, and upgrade to Premium for featured placement and more photos.