Out now! Pick up the latest edition of Laois Life magazine

As summer draws to a close and the first signs of a new season begin to appear, the latest edition of Laois Life is here, packed with inspiring local stories, fascinating personalities and plenty to enjoy as we head into autumn.

The August/September edition brings together a mix of arts, culture, food, fashion, sport and lifestyle, offering readers plenty of reasons to sit back, slow down and enjoy a good read.

In our feature interview, Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ní Chonaill reflects on an extraordinary 35-year career in the county’s arts scene as she looks ahead to retirement. She also opens up about the loss of her beloved husband and the experiences that have shaped her life and career.

Food lovers can get a behind-the-scenes look at the new Fort Café & Bistro at Dunamase Arts Centre in Portlaoise, where chef Sorin Olinici tells us about his excitement at cooking in Laois once again and bringing his extensive knowledge of Irish and international cuisine to the new venture.

From courtrooms to craft fairs, we follow the fascinating journey of solicitor-turned-jeweller Yvonne Bolger in our Journey to the Job feature, discovering how she made the leap from law to a very different creative career.

In our culture section, we meet Abbeyleix sculptor Aoife Dunne, one of Laois’ rising stars on the art scene. At just 25, Aoife has already made an impressive mark with her work and shares more about her creative journey and ambitions for the future.

Our Inside the Bag feature takes us into the world of ultra running, as Laois runner Tony McAlister reveals the lifesaving essentials he carries with him. Having recently taken on the gruelling Marathon des Sables in Morocco, Tony has plenty of experience and advice for fellow runners.

Fashion also takes centre stage, as we visit family-run Fortunes Fashions in Rathdowney, a much-loved Laois boutique that has been keeping generations of customers in style for five decades.

And that is just a taste of what awaits inside this 100-page glossy edition. From arts and culture to food, fashion, inspiring local people and plenty more besides, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

So as the seasons change, sit back, relax and enjoy the latest edition of Laois Life. We would also like to thank all of our contributors for their help and co-operation, and our advertisers for their continued support.