More special guests in Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival returning for 2026

The unstoppable Laois legend Trudi Lalor is busily organising the second annual Laois Homecoming Festival and she has revealed the already exciting line-up.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, Mountrath native Trudi first looked back on the success of the first homecoming in September 2025, which united the county's communities, artists and businesses in a celebration of their Laois identity.

"It was phenomenal, the level of support from the people of Laois and Laois people all over the world. Families reunited that hadn't met for years. One man brought home his wife from Melbourne for the first time to meet his family. Another Ballyroan man came home from Boston for it.

"Others who had only driven through Laois before, told us they didn't realise how beautiful Laois is, thanks to the free bus tours by Mark Martley. I really felt the community come together, the businesses too. It was a celebration of people who have succeeded and gone on to great things, and of unsung heroes like Jack McDonald who has done tireless work helping people to connect. It was a chance for local artists to express themselves too and it all came together beautifully," she said.

Unsung Hero Jack McDonald and family. Photos: Alf Harvey

Trudi who is the well known singer of the anthem Lovely Laois, is again tapping into her long term friendships with other singers to produce the goods for 2026.

"One event that was very dear to me was Leo Moran and Padraig Stevens from the Sawdoctors who gave a songwriting workshop in Portlaoise Prison Campus, in conjunction with the education unit there. Prisoners use music and learning instruments as a form of healing. That was an incredible day, so they are coming back.

"Noel Fitzpatrick (The Supervet) is coming back with his rock band, Fitzpatrick to again play at our gala dinner. That went down a storm, they will play as part of several dates in Ireland, we are delighted to have them back. Damian Bowe will also perform again," she said.

"We are delighted to welcome Charlie McGettigan who has written so many great songs, sharing his work and giving a Q and A and meeting people.

"We will welcome Sean Cuddy, Sandy Kelly, The Muskateers and Paddy O'Brien at our Country Stars concert. Nuala Kelly of Music Generation Laois will again lead choirs for a Community Mass in Portlaoise with Monsignor John Byrne. That was a really special event for all different faiths.

"We will have our art exhibitions again, featuring Laois Fusion and independent artists and photographers in various locations. We are bringing back our community Tea Dances, which allowed the generations to come together and be happy to be reunited.  It was an amazing photography exhibition night in Eddie Phelan's café in Mountrath with wine and cheese, that's returning too.

"We are having a literary night in Preston House, Abbeyleix. We will have a playwriting workshop with Frances Harney and novelist Helen Moorehouse who is from Mountmellick will have a creative writing workshop. They all were full last year. People have a huge desire for these things.

We are honouring as an Unsung Hero Noel Burke from Abbeyleix who does phenomenal work for the community, including the Cillín burial site and the famine graveyard. To see him recognised is important. We are honouring the Arc project run by David Delaney that helps families of people with addictions to come together weekly for support and workshops. We will have one or two more heros but they aren't confirmed yet.

"Our celebrity guest is almost there as well," Trudi said.

See more photos from the Lovely Laois Homecoming Gala Dinner 2025.

She handles most of the organisation herself, aided by a handful of friends and family. 

"Sometimes you get things done easier with a smaller group. It might be me spearheading it but it's the communities of Laois making it a success," a positive Trudi said.

Last year she was disappointed that the festival failed to qualify for a community festival grant from Laois County Council.  

Instead the festival will again be relying on local sponsors, including Abbeyleix House and Farm and a range of Laois businesses and entrepreneurs.

"I feel that by doing it this way, I can keep to my vision of the festival and allw more flexibility for the artists involved.

"Sponsors are reaching out again this year, they want to be involved, thank God we are lucky too that we got national media and television coverage, so this year it's running a bit smoother.

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"If anyone out there has a dream to create a song, or if there are artists who are a big shy, or poets who want to share their work, they can get a chance. It's all about communities, friendships and reuniting people who moved away or even live here but haven't seen each other in years. I am really excited about it," Trudi Lalor said.

The Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival takes place on September, 4 5 and 6.