The Arthouse and Library

The Arthouse and Library Laois Arthouse, Stradbally an Gallery and Studio Space run by Laois Arts and Laois County Council. Construction work was completed in December 2010.

Hosting a programme of artist's residencies exhibitions and events. The official opening of The Arthouse Studios and Library, Stradbally County Laois took place on 13th May 2011. The opening was performed by Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The development, costing in excess of €1.7million, commenced early in 2010 has been assisted with funding from the Depa

rtment of Tourism, Culture and Sport Access 11 scheme. The architects for the development were Milligan, Reside and Larkin and the contractor was L&M Keating. Facilities include a community library, artists’ studios and living accommodation, an exhibition gallery, an equipped music rehearsal space, a kiln, and a garden space with a commissioned Percent for Art wall mounted artwork and a meeting room for the Laois Heritage Society. Under the percent for art scheme a stainless steel relief wall piece was created by Wicklow based artist James Hayes and it graces the garden wall of the studios. A limestone sculpture by Henk Korthuys was purchased for the front of the building, also funded by the Percent for Art scheme. This sculpture was made in Mc Keon’s Stone, Limestone Yard in Stradbally by Henk when he participated on their international artist visiting programme last Summer. The new gallery programme is up and running and it showcases: drawing, painting and sculptural works in contemporary and traditional mediums. Or visit the Arthouse garden and view the percent for art sculpture. In the process of setting up the artists’ studios there was wide consultation and links were formed with the Arts Council, NCAD and the Crafts Council of Ireland and other artists studios in Ireland and abroad. Links also have been made with the County Enterprise Board and other developmental agencies. Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer is managing the studios. Muireann says, “It is a privilege to be associated with such an exciting venture and I look forward to the many new experiences it affords us to provide for artists and the general public, enriching their lives through the arts

Join us for Epiphany a new work written and performed by taking the female perspective in James Joyce classic 'The Dead...
28/11/2025

Join us for Epiphany a new work written and performed by taking the female perspective in James Joyce classic 'The Dead'. St Peter's Church of Ireland Portlaoise.

in Castletown . Slì Sibèal in Castletown will be lit up and brought to life through an evening of music, story and song...
10/09/2025

in Castletown . Slì Sibèal in Castletown will be lit up and brought to life through an evening of music, story and song, on Culture Night, September 19. This historic walkway in Castletown will become a glowing sculpture trail for the evening with music from local musicians performed from the stage in the woodland amphitheatre. The evening will culminate with a short play specially written for , which will share the history of Sli Sibèal.

27/08/2025

Good afternoon!

Our Annual Community & Voluntary Awards will take place on November 22nd in The Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.
It’s a great way for us as a county to acknowledge an artist, group or voluntary body who have gone above and beyond for their community.

Nominations for this year are closing on 5th September, so get your nominations in!

Please share with any artist groups/clubs that you think may be interested in entering.

Below are the links to submit online:

General Awards: https://submit.link/3Pl

Junior Volunteer of the Year: https://submit.link/3Pi

Unsung Hero Award: https://submit.link/3Pj

‘towards a future floating…’An exhibition of work by artists & with participants of the of the Laois Arthouse Summer Ar...
17/07/2025

‘towards a future floating…’
An exhibition of work by artists
&
with participants of the of the Laois Arthouse Summer Arts
Programme 2025 Art + Environment Workshop.

Friday 18th July (17.30 -19.30)
All welcome.

July 18 - August 30, 2025

Image: ‘Going for fuel (I may be some time)’, oil on canvas. 100x150cm. 2019.

+environment Laois County Council

Have your say, Laois Arts Strategy! Laois Arts and Laois County Council are preparing the Laois Arts Strategy 2025 – 202...
23/06/2025

Have your say, Laois Arts Strategy!

Laois Arts and Laois County Council are preparing the Laois Arts Strategy 2025 – 2029 and to assist in its delivery, we would like to hear from you.

Here's an opportunity for you to share insights that could help in identifying priority areas for Laois Arts Office's forthcoming Arts Strategy. You (+1) are invited to a private meeting with Consultant Vincent O’Shea, who is developing the Strategy. Please check the accompanying schedule for Public Consultation Clinics at your local library.

To book a 20-minute Slot with Vincent, email [email protected] or telephone 057 866 4033.

Looking forward to this event with Arthur Broomfield tomorrow evening as part of Bealtaine Festival. Hope you can join u...
21/05/2025

Looking forward to this event with Arthur Broomfield tomorrow evening as part of Bealtaine Festival. Hope you can join us for the launch of Arthur's new collection of short stories 'Rising Dust'.

Join us on Wednesday, May 22nd at 7PM for a special Bealtaine event with Ballyfin poet Dr. Arthur Broomfield, launching his new short story collection Rising Dust.

Booking recommended: https://tinyurl.com/ysf2hyjm

Dr Arthur Broomfield is a poet and Beckett scholar from Ballyfin, Co Laois. He holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. Arthur’s poems have been published in Poetry Ireland Review, Cyphers and many other literary journals in Ireland, the UK, USA and India.

LaoisToday Laois People Laois Public Participation Network Laois Partnership Downtown Portlaoise Laois Integration Network Laois County Council Age Friendly Laois Age & Opportunity

We are thrilled to present two featured pieces from our Láithreach Leanúnach exhibition, currently taking place at the L...
09/05/2025

We are thrilled to present two featured pieces from our Láithreach Leanúnach exhibition, currently taking place at the Laois Arthouse.

This collaborative exhibition displays artworks chosen by the Stradbally Art Group from the Laois County Council's art collection, displayed alongside their own creations.

The first artwork is titled Last of a Species, painted by Robert Ryan as part of the Laois County Council collection.

The second piece is an artistic interpretation by Maggie Devoy, a member of the Stradbally Art Group.

The exhibition is open to visitors until May 31st, from Tuesday through Saturday at the Laois Arthouse.

Address

Stradbally
Port Laoise

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 8pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 8pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 1pm

Telephone

+353578664109

Website

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