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Portlaoise

Leinster, Ireland · Europe

About Portlaoise

Portlaoise sits on the route: 15 minutes from Mountmellick, 56km from Clonmacnoise.

Portlaoise is a town located in Leinster, Ireland. With a population of 13,622, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Portlaoise sits in Ireland, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/Dublin time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Portlaoise to your route.

About Portlaoise

Portlaoise ( port-LEESH, Irish: Port Laoise), known until 1929 as Maryborough, is the county town of County Laois, Ireland. It is in the South Midlands in the province of Leinster. Portlaoise was the fastest growing of the top 20 largest towns and cities in Ireland from 2011 to 2016. However, the 2022 census shows

Read more that the town's population increased by 6.6% to 23,494, which was below the national average of 8%. It is the most populous and also the most densely populated town in the Midland Region, which has a total population of 317,999 at the 2022 census. It was an important town in the sixteenth century, as the site of the Fort of Maryborough, a fort built by English settlers during the Plantation of Queen's County. Portlaoise is fringed by the Slieve Bloom mountains to the west and north-west and the Great Heath of Maryborough to the east. It is notable for its architecture, engineering and transport connections. On the national road network, Portlaoise is located 94 km (58 mi) west-southwest from Dublin on the M7 motorway, 170 km (106 mi) north-east from Cork on the M8 and M7, and 114 km (71 mi) east-northeast from Limerick on the M7. It was once known for the manufacture of iron and steel buildings, tennis balls, rubber seals, tyres, electrical cabling, and Ireland's first aircraft. Today, Portlaoise is a commercial centre with the economy dominated by the service sector, and a hub of shopping, transport, and events for the surrounding catchment.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Portlaoise

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Portlaoise?

Portlaoise offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Portlaoise?

Plan your road trip to Portlaoise with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Portlaoise as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Portlaoise located?

Portlaoise is located in Leinster, Ireland, Europe. The coordinates are 53.0344 latitude, -7.2998 longitude.

What is the population of Portlaoise?

Portlaoise has a population of approximately 13,622 people, making it a town in Ireland.

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Quick Information

Population
13,622
Continent
Europe
Country
Ireland
Region
Leinster
Timezone
Europe/Dublin
Coordinates
53.0344, -7.2998

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Ireland

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left
Full driving guide for Ireland

Tags

EuropeIrelandLeinsterTown

Worth the detour from Portlaoise

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

racetrack

Mondello Park

Ireland's only permanent motorsport circuit, located in County Kildare and the home of Irish national racing since 1968.

44 km · about 50 min drive

ancient ruins

Clonmacnoise

Monastic city founded by St Ciarán in 544 on an esker above a bend of the Shannon: two round towers, a cathedral, high crosses and hundreds of early Christian grave slabs. Once one of Europe's great centres of learning.

56 km · about 65 min drive

mountain pass

Wicklow Gap

High mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Portlaoise

  • 58 kmWicklow GapHigh mountain pass on the R756 across the Wicklow Mountains between Hollywood and Glendalough, following the medieval pilgrims' route of St Kevin's Road through wild granite moorland.
  • 66 kmSally GapA high crossroads pass over the Wicklow Mountains amid blanket bog, with the famous Military Road running through.
  • 75 kmVale of AvocaA wooded river valley on the R752 in Wicklow at the meeting of the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers.

Driving in Ireland

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.78/litre
Motorway tolls
~€2.10/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Portlaoise.

Mountmellick

🇮🇪 Ireland

9 km awayPop. 3,547

Stradbally

🇮🇪 Ireland

10 km awayPop. 1,350

Mountrath

🇮🇪 Ireland

12 km awayPop. 1,661

Abbeyleix

🇮🇪 Ireland

14 km awayPop. 1,770

Portarlington

🇮🇪 Ireland

16 km awayPop. 7,788

Monasterevin

🇮🇪 Ireland

20 km awayPop. 4,246

Ballylinan

🇮🇪 Ireland

20 km awayPop. 1,084

Athy

🇮🇪 Ireland

22 km awayPop. 9,677

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence