Christmas at Emo Court in Co. Laois

Emo Court and Estate, located in the midst of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co. Laois, will be open for a family-fun Christmas event on December 14 and 15.

Following the success of last year's event held at the historic neo-classical mansion, the Office of Public Works (OPW) have announced the return of the holiday programing again this year, which promises to be even better.

This special Christmas event comes ahead of the planned reopening of Emo Court to visitors in Spring 2025.

Emo Court, once the largest country estate in Ireland, was commissioned and built by the earls of Portarlington and designed by the eminent architect James Gandon. It also served as the home of Jesuit photographer Fr. Frank Browne, author Benedict Kiely, and Major Cholmeley Dering Cholmeley-Harrison -- who restored the estate and presented it to the people of Ireland in 1994.

During this year's Christmas event, visitors will have the opportunity of a free tour of some of the Ground Floor rooms. These rooms have been refurbished and presented in the style of the late 1700s and early 1800s when the Portarlington Family resided there.

The Ground Floor interior will be beautifully decorated for Christmas and visitors will be able to enjoy festive music as they walk through the House. The grounds and formal gardens, which visitors are free to explore, will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland.

The schedule of performances can be viewed below:

Saturday 14 December
1:00- 2:00 - Eleven harpists from Music Generation Laois (Dining Room)
2:00-3:00 – Performance by Ukrainian Choir
3:00-4:00 – Piano Recital by Dr Fulham as he takes us back to the many memories of parties held in Emo Court and his time with Major Cholmeley Harrison
4:00-5:00 - Ukranian Choir Second Performance

Sunday 15 December
2:00-3:00 - Ukranian Choir performance
3:00-4:00 - Tatyana Vykhodtesva (Pianist - at the Laois School of Music.) will perform in the (Drawing Room)
4:00-5:00 - Grand Finale Performance by Timahoe Male Choir (fresh from their renowned performance at Electric Picnic)

Visitors are invited to join the event, which promises festive fun, food, beverages and musical entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

For more information, please visit heritageireland.ie.