Laois could be getting its first ice skating rink in Portlaoise

Get your skates on, because Laois could get its first ice rink for Christmas 2024.

A public ice skating rink is being considered by Laois County Council at its new Outdoor Performance and Event Space in Portlaoise.

The huge covered space is being built inside the town's 16th century English military fort.

The fort still exists almost intact next to Portlaoise Main Street, and is now a focus for heritage and tourism investments.

The covered venue is expected to be complete by June, in time for a summer schedule of music and performance events sheltered from the rain.

Director of Services Simon Walton confirmed the possibility of iceskating, speaking at the April 17 meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

"This phase will accommodate 2,000 people standing or 1,000 sitting. We will have three phase power into the site and are getting 500 temporary seats, and a 90 square metre stage when it is complete in June.

"It will provide big opportunities for national or regional events for promoters, and for the Dunamaise Arts Centre for outdoor events, and Laois School of Music for their own orchestras. 

"There are other uses such as perhaps an ice rink at Christmas, that will bring an economic dividend to the town centre, particularly at nighttime.

"We've had discussions with the board of the Dunamaise to oversee a diary and bookings in advance, so the space can be used for culture to benefit Portlaoise," Mr Walton said.

He was answering a motion tabled by Cllr Thomasina Connell asking for an update on construction of the event space.

She jokingly asked if it would be ready in time for the Local Elections on June 7.

"We might have a count in there yet. I saw it from the second floor of the library, it looks great. This will be a permanent structure for outdoor performances. I commend the council it will be absolutely fantastic. I feel that Portlaoise is becoming a place for these events. We may not always have the weather but we have the craic. I look forward to attending events there," she said.

"We're working on the Fort Protector #OutdoorPerformanceSpace in Portlaoise, Ireland. Cold bent tubes & cold finished material for Peterson Manufacturing Ltd, Dublin. Once complete, this space will be a hub for outdoor events."

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald had said that an ice rink was suggested for it.

Read more on the outdoor performance space here. 

Cllr Willie Aird is concerned that the site, which includes a large warehouse and is next to the Fitzmaurice Place garden is not used often enough.

"I was at the Fitzmaurice event. It is a pity it is not used more. There is not much point spending a lot of money if it's not used. The whole area is lovely with flowers, it's a credit to the council. I went to school down there, it's a big change," he said.

He was referring to a special commemorative ceremony held at Fitzmaurice Place in Portlaoise on Friday 12th April - 96 years to the day -to mark the anniversary of the first east west transatlantic flight in April 1928 co-piloted by Portlaoise native Colonel James Fitzmaurice.