LAOIS HighLIGHTS
1 The Old Fort Quarter Festival. Drawing its title and theme from the fascinating history of the original ‘Fort of Maryborough’, it offers a weekend of free family fun and live music in Portlaoise from June 23 to 25. www.laoistourism.ie
2 Painting and Drawing in Light, Mood and Movement. Summer art programme for adults directed by painter John Keating. It takes place from June 7 to 9, at Laois Arthouse. www.laois.ie
3 Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School. Includes workshops and performances, the premiere of a new suite of music for Trad Orchestra by Ryan Molloy, and an outdoor concert with Beoga. It runs from July 21 to 23. www.musicgenerationlaois.ie
4 Tionól: Harps & Pipes. This weekend of workshops and performances will include a premiere of a brand new suite of music for harp orchestra. It takes place from November 3 to 5. www.musicgenerationlaois.ie
5 Summer Arts Programme. There are workshops in music, arts and crafts, pottery and drama in Portlaoise, Stradbally, Rathdowney and Mountmellick. www.laois.ie
6 Spoken Word Residency. This residency will run over the summer and the target group is young people aged 12 to 20 years. www.laois.ie
7 Leaves Literary Festival. The annual festival takes place in November, and celebrates the diverse talent in the county’s literary, film and music scene. www.laois.ie
8 Animation Project. The Dunamaise Arts centre will host an animation festival for children and young people during the Hallowe’en break. An exhibition of illustrations for graphic novels and other key works will be on view for the month of October. www.dunamaise.ie
9 Mindfield@Electric Picnic. At Stradbally Hall you’ll find an oasis of literary readings, political debate, poetry, science experiments, inspiring talks, news quizzes, public conversations and more. September 1-3 www. electricpicnic.ie/stage/ mindfield
10 30 Years, Artists, Places. This exhibition concludes its 18-month national tour in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise. It runs from June 10 to July 15. www.dunamaise.ie