Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Port Laoise
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Rock of Dunmase
Read Next
Skellig Michael, UNESCO World Heritage Site, County Kerry, Munster, Ireland.
Ireland Has It All, Including These 12 Incredible Feats of Architecture
Rainbow flag hangs from building. Sign of diversity, inclusiveness, hope, yearning. Gay pride flag popularized by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. Inspired by Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow. gay rights, homosexual, gays, LGBT community
Ireland’s Same-Sex Marriage Referendum
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?
A potato showing the effects of Phytophthora infestans, or late blight. Potato blight, Irish Potato Famine.
The Mold that Wrecked Ireland
Discover
Attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor infographic. World War II. Hawaii. United States. Japan. SPOTLIGHT VERSION
Attack on Pearl Harbor Timeline
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics
10 Best Hockey Players of All Time
Horses. Equus caballus. Horse stable. A brown horse looks out from his stall through the window.
Horsing Around: 7 of the Weirdest Racehorse Names in History
January 21, 2019: Superbowl LIII will be played at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, February 3, 2019 against the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.
What Was the Super Bowl’s First Blockbuster Commercial?
In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.
6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters
Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Rock of Dunmase
Rock of Dunmase Rock of Dunmase, near Portlaoise, Ire.

Port Laoise

Laoighis, Ireland
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/place/Portlaoise
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: Maryborough, Portlaoise
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Irish:
(“Fort of the Descendants of Laois”)
Also called:
Portlaoise or Port Laoighise
Formerly:
Maryborough
See all related content

News •

Kildare County Council refuses permission for €100m solar farm • Feb. 11, 2025, 5:18 AM ET (Irish Times)

Port Laoise, county town (seat) of County Laoighis, Ireland, on the River Triogue. Established as Fort Protector during the reign of Mary I (1533–58), it was granted a charter in 1570. The main industries of the town are flour milling and the manufacture of worsteds and sports equipment. The Rock of Dunmase, just to the east, was the seat of the ancient kings of Leinster. Pop. (2006) 3,281; (2011) 3,639.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Jeff Wallenfeldt.