Abbeyleix is a beautiful heritage town located in the heartland of County Laois. It is one of Ireland's oldest planned towns, built in the 18th century. There are many local memorials, ring forts and estate houses in the area.

Abbeyleix is consistetly voted as one of Ireland's tidiest towns. Locals take great pride in flower arrangments and scrubbing every piece of dirt that happens to blemish it.

Morrissey's pub has been serving thirsty travellers since 1775. It is full of knick knacks from by-gone years and a great example of what a pub should be. Fridays and Saturdays see the pub brimming with locals.

Abbeyleix bog is a stone throw's away from the wedding venue and right beside Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. A bog you say. A great bog, we say! Boardwalks have been laid down the entire path so you don't have to get muck on your fancy shoes.

The short trail is 3.6km whilst the long trail is 7.5km. When you're done, have an ice-cream at Polly's beside the Manor Hotel.

Where Mark went to school...

Ah but there's more! Aside from being a community school, Heywood also contains beautiful gardens, faux-castles lookouts and even a small maze. There are trails around the lake for a casual walk. Watch out for teachers trying to catch students playing truant on schooldays! Located about 5 minutes drive from Abbeyleix.

Located about a 5 minute drive from Ratheniska Church, the ruins of the castle dominates a rocky outcrop. The fortress has stood(ish) for nearly two thousand years, even appearing on Ptolemy's maps from 140AD. Visitors can climb through the ruins.

Watch your footing as it is quite steep with uneven ground. There are no guard rails near the cliff edges. Please watch your head if you are climbing through the ruins.

Located in Kildare, on the way from Dublin to Laois, the Irish National Stud is widely considered one of the best thoroughbred horse breeding facilities in the world. It is open to the public and contains stunning, gardens, meadows, museums, and interactive experiences. Horses worth more than your house graze grass a fence away.

The Japanese Gardens are located at the venue (see next slide!)

Located in the grounds of the Irish National Stud, the 120 year old Japanese Gardens allow you to follow the Path of Life. Keep your head down as you pass through caves, keep your feet dry as you stepstone through a river, pose for a photo on the bridges and look out from the heights of the pagoda.

Highly recommended by Emily & Mark!

Kilkenny is a well-preserved medieval town and is dominated by both Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral.

Take a gentle stroll through the gardens surrounding Kilkenny Castle (the castle itself is not open), and then venture into Butler House across the street for a cup of tea. There are bars and restaurants river side to enjoy on a hot summers day.