Take a self-guided tour to explore some of the best hidden gems in County Laois and Ireland’s Ancient East

This audio guide will lead you around the beautiful landscape of County Laois to discover the remains of ancient churches and monasteries and to hear stories of saints and sinners at the dawn of Christianity in Ireland.

Christianity came to the area now known as County Laois some time in the 5th century. At that time, Laois was part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Ossory. Pioneering men like Canice, Fiacc, Colmán and Mochua, who were later canonised, founded establishments throughout County Laois  that went on on to become famed centres of worship and learning. The monasteries flourished throughout the centuries, though many suffered raids from warring Irish tribes and a number were plundered by the Vikings as they swept stealthily up the rivers Barrow and Nore in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Another group of invaders, the Normans, arrived in the late 12th century and they left a lasting legacy in County Laois.  Under their control, the changes in the early medieval church were accelerated, and the Irish Church began to move more in line with the church practices of the continent and Rome. The monasticism promoted by saints like Canice and Mochua gradually began to fade out. Under the patronage of powerful Norman Lords, continental orders like the Augustinians spread quickly, establishing monastic houses across the country.

This audio guide serves as an introduction to the heritage, stories, folklore and history of many of these great early medieval monasteries, we’ll explore some of the most atmospheric and iconic places like Aghaboe Abbey, the stunning Romanesque church at Killeshin and the iconic round tower at Timahoe.

The Laois Monastic Trail Audio Guide

This audio guide is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Laois County Council, Laois Partnership and Laois Tourism. The guide is narrated by Niamh Shaw and recorded in Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producer Róisín Burke in 2015.