Fr David Vard from Portlaoise Parish and Abbeyleix native Shane Whelan on tour with Lion's Rugby

Fr David Vard from Portlaoise Parish and Abbeyleix native Shane Whelan on tour with Lion's Rugby

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of the LaoisToday podcast, brought to you in association with iCashco. On this week's podcast we are joined by LaoisToday Talking Sport podcast presenter Alan Hartnett and Fr. David Vard, of Portlaoise Parish. We sat down and discussed many things with Fr. David, including why he joined the priesthood, his four years in Portlaoise, what he does in his spare time and some of his favourite TV shows. Fr. David also touched on the communions and confirmations in Portlaoise which he hopes will take place at the end of August. Steven Miller is joined by Shane Whelan, the Abbeyleix native who is Director of Digital Marketing and Communications with the Lions Rugby team and is currently in South Africa for this year's tour. He chats about what his job entails, how social media has changed since the last Lions tour in 2017 and what it's like in South Africa as the country is in hard lockdown and grapples with the latest Covid wave. The LaoisToday podcast is presented by Portlaoise native, Paul Downey and is available weekly wherever you get your podcasts.

Councillor Conor Bergin on becoming Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and Solas Eco Garden Centre officially opens in Portarlington

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the LaoisToday podcast brought to you in association with iCashco. On the podcast this week, presenter Paul Downey is joined by Steven Miller and newly elected Chairperson of Laois County Council, Conor Bergin. It has been a busy few weeks for the Borris-In-Ossory man and he joined Paul and Steven to tell them all about it. Among the many topics, we discussed the role of Cathaoirleach and what his job will entail, what he hopes to achieve within the next twelve months, how he was chosen for the position and much more. Solas Eco Garden Centre was officially opened on the 23rd June and Steven Miller was there for us to speak with owners David Maher and John Carey. The lads have poured their hearts (and wallets) into this project and they believe they have created something really special – a destination garden centre which espouses the values of sustainability, good food, community involvement and innovative design. Steven discussed many great things with the owners including the ideas behind the shop, the site in which it is located and much more. The LaoisToday podcast is presented by Portlaoise native Paul Downey and is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Paschal McEvoy on Electric Picnic and Portlaoise College Principal Noel Daly on Leaving Cert changes

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of the LaoisToday Podcast with thanks to iCashco. On the podcast this week: Stradbally based councillor Paschal McEvoy joined presenter Paul Downey and Steven Miller to discuss Electric Picnic and whether or not it should go ahead for 2021. Many locals have decided that they do not want the event to go ahead this year as the town itself has gone through a lot since the pandemic has begun. Noel Daly is the principal of Portlaoise College and he spoke with Steven Miller about Leaving Certificate 2021 which is a little different this year. Noel discusses how he thinks the new way the Leaving Certificate is currently being done may be the way forward.

John Whelan from Vanhalla.ie on travelling around Ireland and Europe in his campervan

On this week's LaoisToday Podcast, we're joined by John Whelan, camper van enthusiast and the man behind the Vanhalla.ie blog.  John talks to us about his camper van conversion, his favourite spots around the country and why Laois as a county can be doing so much more to attract visitors.  He also gives plenty of helpful advice to anyone considering a camper van purchase and some of the basic things you need to know as you set off on your adventures. The LaoisToday Podcast is brought to you in association with iCashco, market leaders in automated cash handling. [http://icashco.com/]

Aimee Alexander, author of the Little Book of Irishisms

This week's guest on the LaoisToday Podcast is Aimee Alexander (or Denise Deegan to give her her proper name), author of The Little Book of Irishisms, 'Know the Irish through our Words'. She talks us through some of her favourite words and phrases, unique Irishisms that just can't be understood by people from outside the country. Banjaxed, bockedy, ructions, segotia and foostering all feature quite highly.