By-election memories | Council meetings | Bertie's comments

Runaway Joe: Wanted for murder, a new identity, living in Rosenallis, escaping to Cyprus - the mad story of Joe Moloney/Michael O'Shea

It has a story line so wild, you'd consider it far-fetched if you watched it on Netflix.  It's even madder when a large part of it is set in Rosenallis with contributions from people in Mountmellick, Portlaoise, Mountrath and Castletown.  But Runaway Joe is no ordinary story. It is the story of an Irish-American called Joe Moloney who was arrested for the murder of his wife, June Fisk, at their son's fifth birthday party in Rochester in upstate New York in 1967. From there it has one twist after another. Escaping prison in the USA, being on the run from the FBI, arriving in Dublin and assuming a new identity, Michael O'Shea, falling in for money and purchasing Capard House in Rosenallis and living the life of a Lord of the Manor with his new wife.  There's the fact that Gardai in Ireland figured out who he really was but couldn't do anything about it as there was no extradition treaty between Ireland and the USA at the time. Then there is his arrest, his court case, his attempted prison break out from Mountjoy, a return to Portlaoise prison and then freedom again on a technicality, where he flees again, assumed to have lived out his final years off the grid in northern Cyrprus.  After being the subject of an award-winning RTE podcast, Pavel Barter has now written a fascinating, ultimate, unputdownable page-turner with even more detail and context and updates than the podcast had. Don't be surprised if it does come to your screens soon as film or series.  Pavel joined us for an interview where he explained how his interest in the story came about, the various Laois connections and how the FBI now want to speak to him! Runaway Joe is available to buy in all good bookshops.

By-election memories | Council meetings | Bertie's comments

We’re back with a new episode of the LoveLaois Podcast and there’s plenty to talk about. We have had three Municipal meetings since our last Podcast. Alan attended Borris-Mountmellick and Graiguecullen-Portarlington while Steven was at Portlaoise.  The lads run through the various motions and also give a shout out to Cllr Aisling Moran who is off to Uganda.  Steven also recalls the 1984 By-Election and gives his thoughts on the Bertie Ahern comments fiasco.

The people, the fun, the history and the routes behind the Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run

The annual Gordon Bennett Classic Car run is an event steeped in history and brings a selection of overseas visitors to these parts.  The brainchild of Tommy Treacy, proprietor of the legendary Treacy's Bar and Restaurant on The Heath, the memorial event has run (excuse the pun) every year since 2003.  That year marked the centenary of the Gordon Bennett Cup in Ireland in 1903, a race that is often referred to as the race that saved motorsport.  Classic car enthusiasts from across Ireland and the UK converge on Laois every June Bank Holiday to travel a version of that original route - that includes parts of Laois, Kildare and Carlow - and this year's event takes place from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1.  It's a weekend that includes a reception in Laois County Council on Friday, a visit to a private collection of historic and classic cars at Grangecon Stud Farm, a Gala night in the Midlands Park Hotel and a visit to the new Shackleton Museum in Athy.  There is also plenty of socialising around the event's HQ in Treacy's.  Ahead of this year's event, we were joined by four members of the local organising committee - David Clegg, Cecil Lewis, Joyce Chambers and Neil Yearsley.  They chat about the history of the original race, the idea of a commemorative run, the fun and friendships involved - and the importance of keeping it going.

Convent housing | Dr Sean | Council goings-on | Greenfields | Tradfest

We’re back with a new episode of the LoveLaois Podcast and there’s plenty to talk about. Steven kicks things off with his account of the new housing project that was officially opened this week at the old convent in Portlaoise.  Alan speaks about Dr Sean Montague who has written and released a new book.  The monthly council meeting took place on Monday and Steven has some suggestions on how things could be quickened up.  We also have details on two big Bank Holiday weekend festivals - Greenfields and TradFest.

FF decides | Minister in Mountrath and Portarlington | Main Street challenges

We're back with a new episode of the LoveLaois Podcast and there's plenty to talk about. Steven gives an insight into the incredibly dramatic Fianna Fáil selection convention contest where Elva Kelly beat off stiff competition from Willie Ramsbottom. Alan chats about his trip to Mountrath where Minister Dara Calleary was on hand to open two new facilities while Steven met him in Portarlington where he opened the Market House and the People's Park. Plus with the retirement of Alan Flynn and the imminent closure of the AJ Menswear in Portlaoise, the lads discuss Portlaoise's Main Street, its future and the proliferation of vape shops, nail bars and barbers.