Laois local business owners, community leaders and members of Laois County Council gathered for the 'Pathways to Progress: Real Stories, Real Impact' conference recently which took place at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.  The event celebrated the achievements of the Midlands Ireland Project and the profound regional shift from peat based industry to more diverse industries, which has been driven by the EU Just Transition Fund. Take a look at some of the photos of the event captured by Paul Moore Photography. (L-R) Cllr Patsy Glennon, Leas Cathaoirleach EMRA, Jean Ryan, Director of Services with Westmeath County Council, Cllr John King, Laois County Council, Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Eoghan Ryan, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, Director of Services with Laois County Council, and Michael Nevin, Local Enterprise Office Longford.placeholder image
Laois local business owners, community leaders and members of Laois County Council gathered for the 'Pathways to Progress: Real Stories, Real Impact' conference recently which took place at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.  The event celebrated the achievements of the Midlands Ireland Project and the profound regional shift from peat based industry to more diverse industries, which has been driven by the EU Just Transition Fund. Take a look at some of the photos of the event captured by Paul Moore Photography. (L-R) Cllr Patsy Glennon, Leas Cathaoirleach EMRA, Jean Ryan, Director of Services with Westmeath County Council, Cllr John King, Laois County Council, Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Eoghan Ryan, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, Director of Services with Laois County Council, and Michael Nevin, Local Enterprise Office Longford.

PICTURES: Laois celebrates community achievements at Midlands conference

Sandra Malone
By Sandra Malone

Reporter

Published 26th Mar 2026, 18:33 GMT
Updated 27th Mar 2026, 10:54 GMT

The 'Pathways to Progress: Real Stories, Real Impact' conference marked the Midlands' regional transformation

(L-R) Leona Conroy, Midlands Ireland ICT representative, Barbara Quinn, Ericsson, Kelley Keogh, STEM officer with Westmeath County Council, and Rory Stapleton, Principal of Ballyadams NS Laois.

5.

(L-R) Leona Conroy, Midlands Ireland ICT representative, Barbara Quinn, Ericsson, Kelley Keogh, STEM officer with Westmeath County Council, and Rory Stapleton, Principal of Ballyadams NS Laois.

(L-R) Emmett Kavanagh, Marketing and Communications Manager with Midlands Ireland, Mary Hennessey, Just Transition Tourism Activator Offaly, Fiona Dunne, Failte Ireland, and Enda Macken, Firecracker Sauna Longford.

6.

(L-R) Emmett Kavanagh, Marketing and Communications Manager with Midlands Ireland, Mary Hennessey, Just Transition Tourism Activator Offaly, Fiona Dunne, Failte Ireland, and Enda Macken, Firecracker Sauna Longford.

(L-R) Peter Pavlov, Barbavilla Dairy Westmeath, Andrea Miley, ÍON Oils Laois, Bernie Everard, Regional Food and Drink Network Manager with Midlands Ireland, Helen Bracken, Fox Covert Farm Offaly, and Fiona McCormack, Farmhouse Bees and Trees Longford.

7.

(L-R) Peter Pavlov, Barbavilla Dairy Westmeath, Andrea Miley, ÍON Oils Laois, Bernie Everard, Regional Food and Drink Network Manager with Midlands Ireland, Helen Bracken, Fox Covert Farm Offaly, and Fiona McCormack, Farmhouse Bees and Trees Longford.

Midlands Ireland STEM Officers (L-R) - Seanie Morris, Laois County Council, Siobhán Greally, Longford County Council, Kelley Keogh, Westmeath County Council, and Dean Hodge Offaly County Council.

8.

Midlands Ireland STEM Officers (L-R) - Seanie Morris, Laois County Council, Siobhán Greally, Longford County Council, Kelley Keogh, Westmeath County Council, and Dean Hodge Offaly County Council.

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