Claim OwnershipThe LoveLaois Podcast
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A weekly news podcast brought to you by the team behind LaoisToday
128 Episodes
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With the summer well and truly behind us now, it was another eventful week on the local political scene. Alan was in the Laois County Council chamber on Monday for September's full meeting, the first since June, and it was a rather humdrum affair until a dispute broke out over the make-up of a new committee. Cllr Aisling Moran (Independent) and Cllr Paddy Bracken (Fianna Fáil) got embroiled in a war of words with Cllr Bracken provocatively suggesting that Cllr Moran return to Fine Gael, her former party. "You are more Fine Gael than me," thundered Cllr Moran in response. "The big Fine Gael head on you," she told the staunch Fianna Fáiler. Alan gives the backdrop to that story and he discusses with Steven whether you can have a certain political head or not. Steven is adamant that he could identify the leanings of politicians by just looking at them. They also discuss Jim Gavin (of Fianna Fáil) and his presidential campaign visit to Portlaoise on Thursday where he put down a lengthy canvass around the town.
The runners and riders are confirmed now for the presidential election and Steven was in Portlaoise Library on Thursday morning for the visit of Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys. Steven and Alan chat about the race - is it boring, should we have more choice, who should Maria Steen blame for not making it on to the ballot sheet and who is the most likeable candidate?Why didn't Sinn Fein field a candidate themselves, can Fine Gael win a presidential election for the first time ever and how will The Left all work together for Catherine Connolly. Steven previously met Catherine Connolly on her visit to Portlaoise so it means that the last show to get to town, if it does, is Jim Gavin and Fianna Fáil.
The latest episode of the Laois Football Podcast is here and this one focuses on everything bar senior. Steven Miller is joined by Alan Hartnett for this one where the duo start with Intermediate. The championship final between Park-Ratheniska and Arles-Kilcruise forms most of the chat as the lads evaluate both teams. They also look ahead to the B and relegation finals at that grade. While they briefly look at the Junior A semis and Junior C final which will also take place.
We return with our latest episode of the LoveLaois Podcast this week where the Alan and Steven chat about the shenanigans around the Irish Presidential Election - and in particular what happened in Laois County Council this week. Alan describes some of the characters that came before the councillors seeking a nomination, the drama over the vote and whether the Laois councillors were right or wrong to deny Gareth Sheridan a nomination.
The LoveLaois Podcast this week features a very special guest who has achieved international fame. Last month, Katelyn Cummins was crowned International Rose of Tralee - the first ever winner from Laois. On Monday, she was at Downey's to collect her brand new Kia car which she will drive for the year. Our own Steven Miller headed over for the event and caught up with Katelyn. Less than a month after her win, she speaks about how much her life has changed - and the parts she is trying to keep the same. Learning how to say 'no', what lies ahead for her in the next 12 months and her excitement at upgrading her car are also hot topics.
The 2025 Electric Picnic is now in the rear-view window and attention now turns to the 2026 edition.But before all of that, Steven Miller joins Alan Hartnett to look back at the weekend. LaoisToday performed on Friday with our sports quiz while Steven then took to the Main Stage with the Timahoe Choir. Tickets for 2026 went on sale this morning and sold out in an hour - leaving many locals disappointed.
It's Electric Picnic Eve and ahead of this year's festival, we caught up with chef Neven Maguire and Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors for separate interviews. The incredibly eclectic nature of Electric Picnic is epitomised by Neven Maguire. He's a well renowned chef who has had a national profile via his TV shows for a number of years. He's also the proud owner of Macnean House and Restaurant in Cavan. What isn't as well known is that he has also done DJ sets over the years and has an incredible collection of vinyl records. This Saturday in the Theatre of Food in Electric Picnic, he'll be doing a cookery demonstration as well as a DJ set. He chats about that, the history of his family business and his new upcoming show on RTE. We also hear from Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors, who will be playing Electric Picnic for the third year running. After a Main Stage appearance last year, they move to a prime time Friday night slot in the Electric Arena this year. On the go for almost 40 years, he chats about how Electric Picnic has opened them up to a whole new generation of young fans.
The LoveLaois Podcast returns this week as Steven and Alan chat about this year's Electric Picnic. Alan was at the press day on Tuesday - which is generally regarded as the Junket of the Year. As well as a free lunch and a bag load of goodies, he also came back with an array of random thoughts, chief among them his observations on other members of the media. Alan tells us all about who he met at the press day and who he's looking forward to seeing while Steven discusses his Main Stage appearance as a newly signed-up member of the Timahoe Male Choir. The lads also chat about a debut appearance in Hazelwood for the Stradbally Community Choir, the impact of the Electric Picnic locally and, of course LaoisToday's QuizCast in the Ah Hear tent in the Mindfield arena on Friday afternoon.
New Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh from Ballyroan dropped into the LaoisToday offices last week for a chat about his journey, his experience of politics so far and what he'd like to see achieved over the next year.
Laois man Shane Whelan has a bird's eye view of one of the world's biggest sporting event this year. As Director of Digital Marketing and Communictions with the British and Irish Lions, he's currently in Australia for this year's tour. It's his fourth tour to work on, having been in Australia in 2013, New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021. From Abbeyleix, he previously worked in communications roles with Basketball Ireland and the IRFU before moving to the role with the Lions where he oversees their considerable marketing, communications and social media operation. On this week's LoveLaois Podcast he chats about what the role entails, the team he oversees, being in the dressing room for some of the big moments and being away from his family for long spells of time. This episode was recorded on Tuesday of last week while Shane was in Brisbane ahead of the warmup game against the Queensland Reds. They then moved to Sydney to play the NSW Waratahs on Saturday and they play the ACT Brumbies in Canberra this Saturday. Indeed it's a tour that sees them traverse Australia - from Perth to Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne. The first test against Australia takes place in Brisbane on July 19 with the second and third tests in Melbourne and Sydney on the subsequent Saturdays.
After a couple of weeks of Alan and Steven, the LoveLaois Podcast changes tact again as it focuses on an interview with a very impressive Laois person. Last week, Alan sat down with Portlaoise teenager Jack Cleland who spoke about his journey in the world of soccer. The 16-year-old, who started out with Portlaoise AFC, is now ripping it up with St Patrick's Athletic in the U-17 League of Ireland. Comfortable as a striker or on the wing, Jack details how he has ended up where he is today. He highlights the ups and downs of such a cut throat sport and talks about his hopes for the future.
And with that, Leaving Cert 2025 is over. It's in the past.For the exam students they can take a well-earned collective sigh of relief.Over the past couple of weeks, Aoife Fitzpatrick from Cullenagh near Ballyroan and a Leaving Cert student in Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise has penned a Leaving Cert column for LaoisToday.She described her experience, her hopes and what each exam was like. Her column was informative, entertaining and very well-received.And this week she's a guest on our LoveLaois Podcast. She joins host Steven Miller to chat about the various subjects, the reaction she got to the column and what is next on the agenda.She hopes to study Global Media in the University of Galway but says she's taking a year out first to work and undertake a PLC.She chats about what her dream job might look like and how she uses social media.
The LoveLaois Podcast returns and there is plenty of news for the lads to talk about. Steven Miller is joined by Alan Hartnett and they begin by discussing some of the rows that have taken place in Laois County Council this week. They also chat about the Laois Abroad series which is in full swing and has covered a range of countries already. The new careers series is also up and going with the wonderful Martina Mulhall interviewing a range of people.
Our LoveLaois Podcast is back and this very special episode covers an event which took place at the weekend. On Saturday, in St Anne's Park, 18,000 people gathered for Pints In A Field 3 - a music event hosted by The 2 Johnnies. The show saw performances from Basshunter, The Tumbling Paddies, The Vengaboys, Jimmy Buckley, Pat Shortt, Super Ceili and The 2 Johnnies themselves. But before all of that, the show was officially opened by The Timahoe Male Choir. With our own Steven Miller now an 'honorary' member of the group, they took to the main stage at 5pm and played for 25 minutes. Steven joins Alan Hartnett, who was present in the crowd, to look back on an incredible day. We also have interviews from Damien Bowe and Padraig Clancy while the episode ends with a snippet from their performance.
For the first time in almost two months, the LoveLaois Podcast returns to its original format. The Friday Panel is here to look back at the news stories that made the headlines on LaoisToday this week.Alan Hartnett and Steven Miller are up for this one and they have plenty to talk about. The start with the case of Beniamin Petre who is accused of making threats against Irish children, babies and people in general - who turned up in Laois this week. We had a line up announcement from Electric Picnic which leads to some musical entertainment from Steven. There is also the story of the missing €200,000 for Timahoe and a proposal to build a museum in Laois.
Our Transition Year series for 2024-2025 concludes with this episode with Portlaoise CBS student Eoghan Deegan. From Vicarstown, Eoghan tells us why he decided to do TY, what the year has been like and how he decided upon his subject choices for Leaving Cert. He also tries to tell us about his plans for his PE project and why it's not actually a doss subject!Plus he chats about his attitudes towards spending and saving, his use of social media and his unfiltered views on TikTok!Our Transition Year series is brought to you in association with People First Credit Union. People First Credit Union support young minds in shaping their future.People First believe in the power of community and the potential of youth. People First Credit Union – building a future of opportunity, one saver at a time.
Sean Tuohy from Portlaoise CBS is the latest guest on our Transition Year series of the LoveLaois Podcast. From Vicarstown, Sean chats about his TY experience this year, his various work experiences, his subject choices for the Leaving Cert and what he'd like to do in college. He also discusses his use of social media, how he consumes news and what his attitude towards spending and saving. Our Transition Year series is brought to you in association with People First Credit Union. People First Credit Union support young minds in shaping their future.People First believe in the power of community and the potential of youth. People First Credit Union – building a future of opportunity, one saver at a time.
The National Student Enterprise Awards finals take place next week and Laois will be represented by Portlaoise twins.Conor and Ross Dunne impressed the Laois judges with their project Mooving.ie.The TY students’ victory ensured that Portlaoise CBS retained the title following David Reddin and Johnny Phelan’s win last year.Conor and Ross are the sons of John Dunne who has owned Hume Auctioneers since 1999.The idea for Mooving.ie came from working with their dad where they noticed a particular need.When people are buying or moving home, they often require the services of solicitors, painters, surveyors etc and Mooving.ie is the one stop shop for all of that.Ahead of the final next week, the lads joined Steven Miller to chat about their journey so far.
Katelyn Cummins from Ballyouskil, just across the Laois-Kilkenny border, became the newest Laois Rose last Friday night when she was crowned at the selection night in the Midlands Park Hotel. Held just every two years now, she takes over from Sinead Dowd from Cullohill who was the 2023 winner. Katelyn had come straight from work for this interview, where she is an apprentice electrician with Alpha Drives in Portlaoise. She chats about working in a male-dominated industry, her upbringing on the family dairy farm and her love of camogie and dancing. As well as that she discusses the thrill of being crowned Laois Rose, what it means to her family and why they can't all wait to get to Tralee for the iconic festival in August.
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