Europe Direct Portlaoise

10/06/2026

Portlaoise Library are delighted to host Symbol of Hope – An Exhibition of Two Cultures from 8th–26th June 2026 as part of Refugee Week Ireland. This unique travelling exhibition celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine and Ireland through traditional costume, art, and craftsmanship.

Visitors can explore eight mannequins dressed in authentic Ukrainian regional clothing alongside creative interpretations of historical Irish dress, highlighting the beauty, resilience, and traditions of both cultures. The exhibition also features intricate pysanky (decorated Ukrainian eggs), folk art, embroidery, pottery, and handcrafted decorative pieces that reflect generations of artistic expression and storytelling.

Symbol of Hope has travelled to libraries, museums, and community spaces across Ireland since 2024, promoting cultural dialogue, unity, and mutual support between Ukrainian and Irish communities. Each display includes QR codes offering deeper insight into the garments, their regional origins, and the traditions behind them, allowing visitors to engage with the exhibition at their own pace.

08/06/2026

Protecting Your Child Online is a free workshop hosted by the LOETB at Portlaoise Library. As the digital world becomes ever more prominent in our society, this free workshop is a great opportunity for parents of primary aged children to learn about digital wellbeing, safety from cyber threats and non-consensual sharing.

Taking place on Monday the 15th of June from 10am. No registration is required, if you have any queries contact [email protected]

04/06/2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a big part of everyday life — from how we access information to how services are delivered in areas like healthcare and banking. This workshop offers an introduction to AI to better understand what AI is, where it can be found in daily life and what to look out for when using it.
This event is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required to join the workshop – everyone is welcome!

During the session, you will:
- Learn the basics of Artificial Intelligence
- Spot AI in daily life
- Discuss the benefits and potential risks of using AI
- Take part in conversations about AI in a friendly environment
- After the workshop, there will also be an opportunity to try out AI technologies firsthand through interactive demonstrations.

To register following the link provided https://tinyurl.com/AgeFriendlyAI or for any further questions email us at [email protected]

29/05/2026

Applications for the Schuman Traineeship are still open.
Gain paid experience at the European Parliament in areas like policy, communications, law, IT, HR and more.
📍 Brussels, Luxembourg & across the EU
🎓 Open to graduates
⏰ Apply before 31 May 2026
Start your EU career today
europarl.europa.eu⁠

29/05/2026

09/05/2026

07/05/2026

Europe Direct Portlaoise are celebrating Europe Day, this Saturday, the 9th of May. Call in between 10am and 12.30pm for our coffee morning and explore what Europe has to offer.

Maybe you're interested in working, studying, or volunteering within the European Union or have questions about your rights when traveling this summer? Call in, grab a cup of coffee, and pick up some information on the European Union.

19/04/2026

Laois Heritage Society presents the next in its Spring series of talks with Portlaoise native, Paul Delany, who will deliver a lecture on Maryborough’s Electric Cinema established by Paul’s grandfather, Paul Delany.

Paul Delany is a grandson of the Paul Delany who built the Electric Cinema in Portlaoise in 1914. The Delany family also had a tailoring/drapery business in Portlaoise from 1830’s to 1999. The society are delighted to welcome Paul who is passionate about the local culture and history of Laois. He is a history graduate and retired IT professional who lives in Portlaoise. He is actively involved with the Laois Local Studies Group, Genealogy Club and the Laois Heritage Society. Paul is looking forward to sharing the story of the Electric Cinema and the important role it played in our community and shaping the social history of Portlaoise.

Admission is free for Laois Heritage Society members and €5 for non-members. Annual membership of €20 entitles members to free admission to talks and outings throughout the year. For more information contact [email protected]

Laois Heritage Office Laois County Council

17/04/2026

We were revving up our engines at Europe Direct Portlaoise last week for our autonomous car racing coding workshop with .

Thank you to Emma from Coding Ireland and all those who joined us on the day. Attendees navigated the twisting tracks, using code to maximise speed and precision.