New free dog park finally unleashed in Laois

After years of requests by local county councillors, a new dog park has finally opened in Laois.

The first free 'off the leash' dog park in Laois opened at Triogue Linear Park, Portlaoise just before Christmas 2024.

The fenced dog play area is inside the long riverside park, which runs from Green Mill Lane (opposite Dunnes Stores) to Millview and Fitzmaurice Place.

The new dog park forms part of the construction of The Triogue Way, a shared pedestrian and cycle route under constructions from The People’s Park off the Timahoe Road to Green Mill Lane, off the Ridge Road. This is aimed at taking some traffic off the roads in Portlaoise and encouraging locals into 'active travel' on foot or by bicycle.

There are however written rules in place on signage at the entrance to the park.

The project has been in the works since 2017, first proposed to Laois County Council by former councillor Noel Touhy, later taken up by his wife, Cllr Marie Tuohy.

She last sought an update on it in October 2024 from Portlaoise Municipal District, to be told that the park was just a fortnight away from completion.

Rules in such parks usually include a ban on dogs on the restrictive breeds list. Owners must pick up after their dogs. 

While it is the first free off-leash dog park in Laois, an exclusive fee charging dog agility park opened in mid 2024 in Emo.