County Laois

County Laois
Area:	1,719 km²
Capital:	Portlaoise
Code:	LS
Population:	58,774 (2002)
Province:	Leinster

Laois (pronounced Leash), also spelt Laoighis or Leix, is a county in the midlands of Ireland. Situated in the province of Leinster, this small county is the only one in Ireland not bordered by another county with a coastline. Area: 1719 km² (664 square miles).

Created in 1556 by Mary I of England as "Queen's County", Laois received its present Irish language name following the War of Irish Independence. Portlaoise is the county town.

Towns and villages

• Abbeyleix Aghaboe
• Ballaghmore Ballickmoyler Ballinakill Ballyfin Ballylynan Borris-in-ossory
• Cashel Clonenagh
• Donaghmore Durrow
• Mountmellick Mountrath
• Portarlington Portlaoise
• Rathdowney Rosenallis
• Stradbally
• Timahoe
• Vicarstown

• Slieve Bloom Mountains
• Rock of Dunamase