Showcasing Laois History and Heritage
An Initiative of Laois Library Service

The Laois Local Studies research room will be closed to visitors from 23 March 2023 until it reopens in the new Portlaoise Library branch. The Local Studies service will continue at reduced capacity during this period and local history stock will be available to the public in the Laois library branches. For assistance email localstudies@laoiscoco.ie or telephone 0578689338. Local Studies apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Laois Local Studies was established to collect, preserve and make available for reference, material relating to the history and heritage of County Laois. It is home to the Laois Collection, a specialist collection on the local, social, political, economic and geographic history of the county. A dedicated member of staff is available to assist and support members of the public with their research and queries. The collection and service are open to all by appointment.

Laois Local Studies is part of the Laois County Library, funded and governed by Laois County Council.

 

The Colonel James Fitzmaurice Collection contains newspapers and other archive material relating to the first east-west transatlantic flight in April 1928. The collection belongs to Teddy Fennelly, well-known historian, aviation enthusiast and author of the book ‘Fitz and the Famous Flight.’

To commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of John Canon O’Hanlon (1821-1905), Laois Local Studies has digitised the History of the Queen’s County. Published in two volumes, this remarkable work tracks the history of the territory from the earliest time to the twentieth century.

This important collection consists of over 300 images documenting local, social and family history, recording significant local sites and events, and capturing special moments in the life of Laois people.

The Glen Ban School Collection consists of approximately 50 digital copies of the photographic collection and autograph book of former Glen Ban pupil Joan Miles 

The Helen Roe Papers contain her notes on various local history topics, such as the placenames of Laois. The collection also includes images from her original lantern slides taken in the 1930s to support her series of Lantern Lectures on the Antiquities of Laoighis

The collection contains approximately 140 picture postcards depicting Laois scenes including villages, towns, beauty spots, buildings and events. Most of the postcards are from the Eason series of postcards produced in Ireland in the early 1900s.

The collection also contains some later postcards produced by a variety of commercial companies and artists.

A guide to the resources available for genealogy in Laois Local Studies and online.

Learn more about the Local Studies Digitisation Project and enjoy our ever growing online digital collection.

Find out what services and resources are available at Laois Local Studies for students, teachers and schools.

Dáil Courts and Cattle Drives

In this episode we have moved into the summer of 1920, agrarian protest has expanded and Sinn Féin are trying to put a halter on...
Read More

Laois Heritage Society Talk

Laois Heritage Society presents a talk on 'Tourist Glaze: A Story of Irish Souvenir China' by John Stocks Powell on Thursday 18th May at 8...
Read More

Captain Michael Dunne, one of the dead of Knocknagoshel

On the 6th of March 1923 a party of Free State soldiers were lured out of Tralee to their deaths in a booby trap explosion...
Read More

The Death of a Doctor

There is a somewhat curious monument in the court square in Stradbally. Erected ‘In memory of a brave father and two worthy sons’ its curiosity...
Read More
Is there history hiding in your attic?

Laois Local Studies actively acquires publications and records of private origin, in line with our Acquisition Policy. Private donations have greatly enhanced the Laois Collection and enriched our understanding of Laois heritage. We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the many individuals, families and organisations who have donated material over the years, including local historians, artists, photographers, schools, businesses, organisations, clubs, societies and collectors.

 

Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) in partnership with Laois County Council.