Shanahoe Community Hall

13/05/2026

Thanks to LOETB Portlaoise for the recent set of crochet classes in Shanahoe Community Hall.

Thanks also to all our participants who made beautiful baby blankets for support charity with gorgeous wool sourced in Fyffes Abbeyleix.

Great to see so many beginners get "hooked" on a new craft. More classes to come in September.

10/05/2026

Cat missing called Freddie. He has only 3 legs and has an eye infection that needs treating urgently. If you see him, please message in and give him some food (meat or cat food) as he won't want to be caught. He went missing in the shanahoe area but might be trying to get back to Rathdowney. Thank you.

09/05/2026

**LOCAL INTEREST**
https://www.facebook.com/share/18YoBMkz4c/

The fascinating ghost story from Co. Laois of the red beggarman, known as the Boccough Ruadh, who became famed when a stone bridge was built over the River N...

30/04/2026

**EVENT THIS EVENING**

District Historical Society-Community Meeting in Shanahoe
Regarding the Future of the Shanahoe Holy Water Font
Dear friends and neighbours,
We are pleased to share that the Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, at their board meeting on Tuesday evening 21st of April, have formally agreed to accept the three artefacts currently in the care of the Abbeyleix & District Historical Society:
The Shanahoe Holy Water Font
The Clonkeen Bell
The Abbeyleix Gr***de
The Museum has expressed that they would be happy to preserve, display, and interpret these artefacts for the public, should that be the wish of the communities connected to them.
However — and this is important — the Shanahoe Holy Water Font belongs first and foremost to the people of Shanahoe.
Before any decision is made, we want to hear directly from the local community:
Do you wish the Holy Water Font to remain in Shanahoe, under local custodianship, with support from the Historical Society?
Or would you prefer that it be transferred to Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, where it would be professionally conserved, displayed, and interpreted for visitors?
There is no right or wrong answer. Both options honour the font’s history. Both options ensure its preservation. The key is that the decision comes from you, the community whose families have safeguarded this object for generations.
The Historical Society will support whichever path the Shanahoe community chooses.
We look forward to hearing your views at our meeting in Shanahoe Hall next week.
With respect and gratitude,
Abbeyleix & District Historical Society

29/04/2026

**UPCOMING EVENT**

District Historical Society-Community Meeting in Shanahoe
Regarding the Future of the Shanahoe Holy Water Font
Dear friends and neighbours,
We are pleased to share that the Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, at their board meeting on Tuesday evening 21st of April, have formally agreed to accept the three artefacts currently in the care of the Abbeyleix & District Historical Society:
The Shanahoe Holy Water Font
The Clonkeen Bell
The Abbeyleix Gr***de
The Museum has expressed that they would be happy to preserve, display, and interpret these artefacts for the public, should that be the wish of the communities connected to them.
However — and this is important — the Shanahoe Holy Water Font belongs first and foremost to the people of Shanahoe.
Before any decision is made, we want to hear directly from the local community:
Do you wish the Holy Water Font to remain in Shanahoe, under local custodianship, with support from the Historical Society?
Or would you prefer that it be transferred to Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, where it would be professionally conserved, displayed, and interpreted for visitors?
There is no right or wrong answer. Both options honour the font’s history. Both options ensure its preservation. The key is that the decision comes from you, the community whose families have safeguarded this object for generations.
The Historical Society will support whichever path the Shanahoe community chooses.
We look forward to hearing your views at our meeting in Shanahoe Hall next week.
With respect and gratitude,
Abbeyleix & District Historical Society

27/04/2026

District Historical Society-Community Meeting in Shanahoe
Regarding the Future of the Shanahoe Holy Water Font
Dear friends and neighbours,
We are pleased to share that the Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, at their board meeting on Tuesday evening 21st of April, have formally agreed to accept the three artefacts currently in the care of the Abbeyleix & District Historical Society:
The Shanahoe Holy Water Font
The Clonkeen Bell
The Abbeyleix Gr***de
The Museum has expressed that they would be happy to preserve, display, and interpret these artefacts for the public, should that be the wish of the communities connected to them.
However — and this is important — the Shanahoe Holy Water Font belongs first and foremost to the people of Shanahoe.
Before any decision is made, we want to hear directly from the local community:
Do you wish the Holy Water Font to remain in Shanahoe, under local custodianship, with support from the Historical Society?
Or would you prefer that it be transferred to Abbeyleix Heritage House Museum, where it would be professionally conserved, displayed, and interpreted for visitors?
There is no right or wrong answer. Both options honour the font’s history. Both options ensure its preservation. The key is that the decision comes from you, the community whose families have safeguarded this object for generations.
The Historical Society will support whichever path the Shanahoe community chooses.
We look forward to hearing your views at our meeting in Shanahoe Hall next week.
With respect and gratitude,
Abbeyleix & District Historical Society