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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Laois punters enjoying the 2024 Old Fort Quarter Festival. Photo: Alf Harvey
A huge weekend festival is on the way to Laois next weekend, with the return of the Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise.
The festival takes place all over Portlaoise town centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 27, 28, and 29.
Concerts will take place nightly inside the cool new covered events venue in the Old Fort itself. The great line up includes Friday 27 June, 7pm, €40 The Whistlin' Donkeys & The Dooley Brothers. Saturday 28 June, 7pm, €40: Dan McCabe & Band and Aslan, Sunday 29 June, 7pm, Smash Hits and Transmitter.
To add to the excitement in Laois for the Old Fort Quarter Festival: on Saturday afternoon at 12.30 there is a family friendly, wheelchair accessible, Taylor Swift tribute concert by Taylor Switch also in the Old Fort Centre, tickets €25.
We like to look after our Laois readers at the Leinster Express / Laois Live so we are delighted to announce that we have a pair of weekend tickets - that cover entry to all the above gigs - to give away to one lucky winner!
Just tag in the comments who you would bring along if you win the two tickets and what act you are most excited for! Winner will be announced on Tuesday lunchtime, June 24 and tickets will be issued via email.
The festival includes lots of free family entertainment on the streets. Read details below.
Main Street, Portlaoise for the Old Fort Quarter Festival. Photo: Alf Harvey
There is a free Comic Con in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Saturday 28 June 12 to 5pm (Quiet Hour at 11am) and a Big Dig, at Portlaoise Library, a hands-on outdoors archaeology workshop for children aged 6–12. Register for the Big Dig HERE
Read also: Laois charity shop opens new bridal and debs department
On Sunday afternoon, 30th June, there is free family fun and a Street Theatre at Church Avenue & Fitzmaurice Place, as well as free live music on stage on the Main Street, spotlighting local talents. Outdoor medieval heritage events will take place from midday on Main Street and Fitzmaurice Place.
Renowned local historians Teddy Fennelly and Michael Parsons will also provide walking history tours of the Old Fort Quarter on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Register to join on this LINK.
For ticketed festival events see here.
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