A Laois festival packed with something for all across one summer weekend in Portlaoise is promised by the organisers of the Old Fort Quarter Festival, which returns for its 2025 instalment. 

Now a staple on the Laois summer events calendar, the festival organisers promise to bring together the very best of talent in Laois and beyond - from top-tier music and pop culture to hands-on fun, creative performances, and historical discovery.

They say the Old Fort Festival is set to light up Portlaoise from Friday to Sunday, June 27 to 29, offering a weekend "bursting with live music, family-friendly activities, rich local heritage, and community celebration".

See the full run of events below:

Pictured: Old Fort Festival, 2022

Fort Stage

This year’s headline concerts promise an unforgettable experience for music lovers, hosted in the stunning surrounds of Fort Protector (ticketed events, strictly over-18s).

Each of the three concert Gigs open at 7pm on the Fort Stage, with support acts starting at 7:15pm. The main acts will finish up at 11.30 each night. 

• Friday, June 27th – The Whistlin’ Donkeys with The Dooley Brothers
• Saturday, June 28th – Dan McCabe & Band followed by the legendary Aslan
• Sunday, June 29th – Festival favourites Transmitter and Smash Hits! round off the weekend with high-energy entertainment

Nightly Tickets retail at €40 on Friday and Saturday, and €35 on Sunday, Early Bird Weekend Passes for €75 are up for grabs, with limited availability.

Tickets go on sale at 1pm on Friday, 9th May, via the Dunamaise Arts Centre Box Office or online at www oldfortquarter.com.

Each of the three concert Gigs open at 7pm at the Fort Stage - support act at 7.15  - with main act finishing up at 11.30 each night. 

Pictured: Poster for the 2025 Old Fort Quarter Festival

Day events

pop-up guest performers, walkabout juggler and walkabout comedy music troupe throughout Main Street and Fitzmaurice Place.

1-2.30pm: Juggling Workshop

This workshop will include hula hoop, juggling, Spinning plates, Diabolo, Flowersticks and more. This workshop promises fun for all ages. With children taking part, parental attendance is required during the activity.

Giant Games

All afternoon, a range of fun and engaging oversized versions of popular games like Jenga, Connect 4, Snakes & Ladders and Chess are laid out for families to enjoy, offering friendly competition and laughter for all ages!

Fun activities with local clubs!

There will also be local clubs getting involved, including Portlaoise GAA Club, Portlaoise Gymnastics Club, Portlaoise Soccer Club, Laois Archery and many more!

Pictured: Old Fort Festival 2024

Celtic Con

Enjoy a host of fun, interactive and exciting attractions including art, crafts and collectibles in the Comic Village, Artist Alley, Geek Market, Craft Stalls, Gaming Zone, Exhibitor and Artist Expo Area. Cosplay and more, bringing some of Irelands finest Comic and Children’s book talent together and showcasing Laois’s finest local creative writers, artists and illustrators. Have a go at gaming. Get the coolest selfie with professional cosplayers. Chat to the pros! And meet new friends. All welcome! Cosplay encouraged!

The Big Dig

Portlaoise Library is delighted to be hosting “The Big Dig”, a hands-on archaeology workshop for children aged 6–12. Participants will explore a replica Viking house and excavation site, learning how to uncover Viking artefacts with guidance from qualified archaeologists. As they dig, children will discover replica treasures and learn about life over 1,000 years ago.

The event is outdoors, so children should wear suitable footwear and dress for mess. All props are provided. Parents must remain present during the session.

Outdoor Heritage Events

Paint medieval shields and learn the powers of medicinal herbs!

Outdoor heritage events will take place from midday on Sunday afternoon on Main Street and Fitzmaurice Place, including acts from Ewka medicinal herbs, Melissa Medieval singer, Dinah Thorneycroft medieval food demonstration, Golden Ravens battle re-enactors, Evgeniy Chubatyy sculptor, Cormac Bowell drumming workshops, Dylan Knight for Hire tour guide and weaponry display, and Michelle Quirke folklorists and storyteller!

Pictured: Laois locals enjoy the music at last year's Old Fort Festival

Walking History Tours

Renowned local historians Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons will provide walking history tours of the Old Fort Quarter on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, 28 and 29 June 2025.

Leaving from the site of the new library on the main street of Portlaoise, be brought through the historic cultural quarter of Portlaoise town as Teddy and Michael regale you with stories of battles won and lost, the development of the town and the history of the fort.

Performances

Symmetry Circus present 'What's Watt'

Join a whimsical journey with two eccentric inventors as they unveil new-fangled, obtuse-angled and slightly mangled kinetic motion machine, in a show featuring hula hooping, escapology, juggling and side-splitting comedy.

Interactive Walkabout Juggler Stephen McGinley

Look out for our interactive Walkabout Juggler about town in colourful costume or join his circus skills workshop beside the Fort Wall, where families can try out hula hoops, juggling, Spinning plates, Diabolo, Flowersticks and more – guaranteed fun for all ages!

The Funky Pirates 

With lots of “Arrghs!” and “Shiver Me Timbers” it’s “Anchors Away” with The Funky Pirates.First cousins of “The Mad Hatters”, “The Funky Pirates” are invading the streets of Portlaoise with their funky grooves and interactive action.  BUT BE WARNED, they take no prisoners! There’ll be high sea battles and walking of planks to be had wherever and whenever they come ashore. Street entertainment of the highest order being brought to you by Kada Ka Boom Arts.

Taylor Switch ‘The Eras Be Grand Tour’,

On Sunday afternoon, the festival welcomes Taylor Switch ‘The Eras Be Grand Tour’, which the organisers say will be perfect for younger fans and families. Tickets are priced at €25, free for accompanying adults who have a weekend pass.

Expect chart-topping hits and a fun, vibrant performance to bring the crowd together.

Pictured: Portlaoise's Old Fort Quarter Festival

Lineup: Sunday Community stage on Main Street 

Local talent will take to the stage on main street for fantastic performances, with MC Adam Cullen. The line up for Sunday is as follows:

1PM - Stradbally Community Choir  

2PM - Gaelen

3PM - PaddyTunga 

4PM - Malva choir

5PM - Byro

The Old Fort Quarter Festival is supported by Laois County Council, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Laois Heritage Society, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Libraries, LOETB, Downtown Portlaoise, Bord Na Móna, Diageo, Elaine Dunne Solicitors, Kavanaghs Bar and Laois Partnership Company.