Things to do in Co. Laois
7 places
1.Castleview Open Farm
a farm with a 15th-century castle at its entrance
A family-run working farm in the Laois countryside where over 100 animals, indoor go-karts, crazy golf, and a fairy garden sit in the shadow of a 15th-century castle.
- Highlights
- Over 100 animals to meet, pet, and feed
- Electric go-karts and indoor play barn
- Complimentary crazy golf, maze, and fairy garden
2.Glenbarrow Car Park
four trails to a 3-tiered Slieve Bloom waterfall
A free forest trailhead in the Slieve Bloom Mountains where four way-marked walks set off along the River Barrow to a three-tiered waterfall.
- Highlights
- Three-tiered Clamphole Waterfall
- Four way-marked trails from 3km to 12km
- Picnic site on the River Barrow
- Facilities
- Dog-friendly · Wheelchair access
3.Rock of Dunamase
12th-century Norman barbican with murder holes
A dramatic ruined fortress crowning a 46m limestone outcrop above the Laois countryside — free, unstaffed, and open year-round, with some of the best panoramic views in Ireland's Ancient East.
- Highlights
- Free, unstaffed National Monument open every day of the year
- Stunning 360° views over the Laois plains to the Slieve Bloom Mountains
- 12th-century Norman barbican gate with murder holes and portcullis slot
4.Abbeyleix Bog Project
Restored bog expanded 1,130% since 2009
A 500-acre community-led raised bog restoration project on the edge of Abbeyleix, with two looped walking trails that follow an old railway line and a volunteer-built 600m boardwalk deep into recovering peatland.
- Highlights
- 600m volunteer-built boardwalk through active raised bog
- Two marked loop trails (3.6 km & 7.5 km) on the old Portlaoise–Kilkenny railway line
- UN-recognised model for community-led peatland restoration
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
5.Emo Court House
a James Gandon neo-classical mansion with a copper rotunda dome
A James Gandon-designed neo-classical mansion set in 250 acres of parkland, lake and woodland — restored by a devoted owner and gifted to the Irish nation in 1994.
- Highlights
- James Gandon-designed neo-classical mansion (1790)
- Copper rotunda dome — the architectural centrepiece
- Guided tour of restored ground-floor rooms & servants' basement
- Facilities
- Good for kids · Wheelchair access
6.Heywood Gardens (Designed by Lutyens)
Only four Lutyens gardens in Ireland
A hidden gem where Sir Edwin Lutyens' formal Italianate gardens meet an 18th-century Romantic landscape of lakes, woodland and follies — all with sweeping views across seven counties, and completely free to visit.
- Highlights
- Lutyens & Jekyll sunken garden — one of only four Lutyens gardens in Ireland
- Eight bronze tortoise statues around the oval fountain pool
- Pleached lime alley and panoramic terrace views
- Facilities
- Wheelchair access
7.Dome Entertainment Centre Carlow
an 8,000 sq ft jungle soft play with bowling & laser tag
A lively all-weather family entertainment centre at Talbot Hotel Carlow, packing bowling, laser tag, soft play, a sports simulator and interactive darts under one roof.
- Highlights
- 8,000 sq ft jungle-themed soft play
- Pins on Strings interactive bowling — first of its kind in Carlow
- Space-themed laser tag for up to 16 players
- Facilities
- Good for kids · Restrooms · Wheelchair access