METAC - Midland Energy Training & Assessment Centre

METAC Training Centre, Mountrath Enterprise Park, Portlaoise Road, Mountrath, Co. Laois.

METAC Training is situated in the heart of Mountrath. They are the largest energy training and assessment centre in Ireland and the UK and train approximately 2,700 people annually.

Their realistic training facilities equip people with practical skills for the modern workforce that are nationally recognised by SOLAS, QQI, City & Guilds, BLUEflame Certification, Bord Gáis and OFTEC, amongst others.

All courses run are independently certified and verified by external agencies.

METAC Training and our Managing Director Dominic Dunne were shortlisted for The Plumbing & Heating Awards 2017 in the category of Overall Achievement Award. Dominic and METAC received an award for successfully achieving the recognition of Finalist in the category of Overall Achievement Award.

To add to METAC’s many accolades, they also won the Highly-Commended award for Best Services Provider at this years SEAI Energy Show 2017. 

METAC won the Best Services Provider at the SEAI Energy Show Product of the Show Awards 2016 in the RDS in Dublin on the 6th and 7th of April 2016.

In 2014 METAC Training received an OFTEC award, winning the OFTEC Best Training Centre of the Year 2014 at the OFTEC Awards of Excellence.

On September 7th, METAC held their annual Open Evening for all business and hobby courses with special guest speaker Seamus from Local Enterprise Office Laois who provided information to all interested in the 'Start Your Own Business' course commencing September 19th at METAC. 

If you would like more information on any of the courses METAC provide call them on
057 87 56540 or visit their website: www.metac.ie

Sue's Crafts For You

Find Sue's Crafts For you on facebook @Sue's Crafts For You.
Christmas selection has just been released.

Sue's Crafts For You was set up in 2015 by Susan, who decided to turn her crafting talent into a successful business while fitting in around the busy life of her 3 sons and being a housewife. 

Susan set up Sue's Crafts for you to provide personalised gifts as an alternative to a bunch of flowers for any occasion. 

If you're looking for a unique or exciting gift for your Mom, Dad, brother sister, buddy, relitive or even yourself (let's face it we all deserve something nice) then Sue's Crafts For You is the place to sort you out. 

Bespoke medal holders over all sport- hurling, soccer, football, Irish dancing, running gymnastics etc. are a specialty of Sue's Crafts For You.

These can also be adapted to be coat or key holders. They come in a choice of all colours and personalised inscription can be written on everything.

These products are influenced by dates, locations, names and more allowing you to create something truly special.

Sue's Crafts For You are one of the regular marketeers in The Cottage Market, Mountrath on the first Saturday of every month in the Macra Hall, Main Street Mountrath from 10am - 2pm. 

Come and have a look at the vast selections of gift ideas on display and order your very own creation for that special someone made by Sue's Crafts For You.

The Cosy Cafe & Bakery

The Cosy Cafe & Bakery is located in the center of Market Square in Mountrath Town,  open Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm.
Find The Cosy Cafe & Bakery on Facebook @thecosycafe  

The Cosy Café- Bakery Boutique is here to give you a sweet treat and a Cosy atmosphere. Beautiful Breakfasts and Daily Lunch Specials provide you with food with a difference. 

As well as a quaint cafe, The Cosy Cafe & Bakery specialise in bespoke cakes, cupcakes, cookies etc. for any occasion all made to order for Birthdays, Weddings, Communions, Christenings, Valentines, Easter, Mother's Day, Or Just Because!

To talk to Sinead or any of her team, about any of your cake needs contact them on 057 8756211, email info@thebakeryboutique.ie or visit their website www.thebakeryboutique.ie

Crafts By Edwina

Personalised Cards made to order from Crafts By Edwina 087 9082828

Crafts By Edwina is situated in Mountrath town, selling beautiful handcrafted and personalised cards and 3D frames for all occasions. Each card and frame is individually handcrafted using only the best quality materials.  

In 2008, Edwina Cuddy first started making personalised invitations and cards for her own family. She quickly found more and more people wanting to order cards and personailsed gifts from her, so in 2010, she launched Crafts By Edwina and has never looked back. 

3D frames have become more popular in recent times and are beautiful keepsakes and a wonderful present for any occasion.  

If you are looking for a unique gift idea, Crafts By Edwina create these stunning 3D picture frames which make the perfect Christening gift, new born gift, birthday gift or simply a special occasion gift for that special someone.

Découpage is the art of decorating an object by gluing coloured paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and other decorative elements.

Crafts By Edwina have mastered this intricate craft to an amazing standard and have recently added this unique service to the already impressive catalogue on offer to their customers. These can make special presents for all occasions go that little bit further.  

Crafts By Edwina is a regular at the Mountrath Cottage Markets on the first Saturday of every month 10am - 2pm at the Macra Hall, Main Street, taking orders for and selling an array of cards, 3D frames and découpage inspiring gifts. 

To find out more about what Crafts By Edwina offers, find them on Facebook: @craftsbyedwina 

The Cottage Market, Mountrath - August Edition

The Cottage Market, Mountrath will take place in the Macra Hall, Main Street, Mountrath
Saturday 5th August 10am - 2pm

A Cottage Market differs from a Farmers' Market in that it is "all about bringing hobbyists and amateur producers from a local area together to showcase their often hidden skills and talents in areas such growing, sewing or baking, and at the Mountrath Cottage Market we have those skills being shown in abundance.

Here's a snippet of what will be on show for you at this months market:

Deirdre Kelly - Simply Nanas Breads - brown & white soda, spotted dog, gluten free

Elaine Hyland will be bringing homemade jewellery, picture frames, gifts of all descriptions

Sarah Tynan- cakes, jams, chutney, quiche and special occasion cakes are her specieality

Anne & Angela have the kiddies sorted for the day - providing all kinds of sweets & treats

Elaine Hyland will bring homemade jewellery, picture frames, gifts of all descriptions

Carmel Meade will be on hand to provide the delicious homemade cupcakes everyone absolutely loved last month

Heather Rice brings magical toys & more - knitted mermaids, unicorns, fairies & knitted food. Also framed photos & handmade cards

Rach Walsh - The hippie Gardner: GIY Gardner brings plants & fresh garden produce, free range eggs, duck eggs & free range honey

Lucy, Jackie & Esther will have top quality hand crafted knitted items - baby blankets & cardigans, painting on glass, handmade cards

We have lots more on offer so be sure to come in for a look on Saturday 5th August, Macra Hall, Mountrath, 10am - 2pm. 

No Limits KidZ Hub - Mountrath

No Limits Mountrath is a fun, kids activity centre with after-school, supported homework & extra fun activities for primary school children. Also birthday parties / room rental are on offer.

Afterschool, extracurricular activities and camp programmes are aimed at promoting the benefits of play, participation & social inclusion, while improving self confidence and mental health.

Open Monday - Friday, 2pm - 6pm. 

For more information call Call (057) 874 1470

Check us out on Facebook for info on all our camps over the summer : @nolimitsmountrath

No Limits opened its doors on Main Street, Mountrath, 11th May 2016. All staff are qualified, Garda vetted and child protection trained.

Operated by two full time volunteers and programmes facilitated by a team made up of experienced staff from within the world of Business, Childcare, Teaching, Youth Work, Special Needs Assistants (SNA) & Healthcare many of whom offer their time on a voluntary basis or are on various government supported back to work schemes.

Catering to a wide spectrum of need, No Limits offers a range of educational & recreational programmes for all school going children.

The afterschool programme facilitates all primary school going children.

Offering supported homework, healthy snacks provided, free time play and extra curricular recreational classes as standard each evening, including Art, Drama, Music, Dance and Sport & Coordination.

We offer an after school service with collection at present from St Fintan’s Boys NS, Scoil Bhride GNS and Clonenagh National School at both 2pm & 3pm. 

Should the demand merit it from September we will also be providing a daily collection service from both Castletown N.S and Paddock National School. 

Charges are set at €6 per hour for the 2-3pm Afterschool based on a minimum of 5 days, and €6 per hour based on a minimum of 2 Days per week and 2hrs per day. Discounts are available for those with two or more children.

We are actively taking registrations for our September 2-3pm Daily After School Service.

Numbers are restricted and therefore registration will be on a first come first serve basis so please don't hesitate to register your child's name on either 0578741470 or in person within No Limits KidZ Hub - Mountrath.

All small surcharge will be applied for Paddock National School collection to cover the bus.

Age Friendly Coffee Mornings

The Laois Age Friendly County Strategy is an initiative designed to create a county where older people are valued and respected.

As part of a national Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme spear headed by Age Friendly Ireland, tea/coffee mornings were hosted by the Mountrath Branch of Telfords and Martyns Centra, Main Street Mountrath last week. Both events were a huge success! 

We would like to thank all who attended and hope you all enjoyed the cup of tea and a chat.
We asked those who attended to complete a short survey on shopping with us and of ways we could improve their shopping experience with us. This was invaluable feedback and we will try incorporate your suggestions.

Thanks again for your continued support and we look forward to holding another coffee morning in the future!

At the launch of Laois Age Friendly County strategy in 2016, Cathaoirleach Catherine Fitzgerald said "We are very lucky to have a very active older population in our county. Everyone hopes that as they grow older they will be supported to remain in their own home, be listened to and taken seriously, be able to work or volunteer, enjoy a good social life, and have access to good information and healthcare. These are hopes that we, as local agencies and organisations, want to work together to fulfill in Laois."

If you would like to know more about the Laois Age Friendly Program or wish to become involved in the Age Friendly Program, drop into The Mountrath Community Forum tent in The Cottage Markets, Macra Hall, Main Street, Mountrath 10am - 2pm on the first Saturday of every month. 

Irish Red Cross - Laois Area

Irish Red Cross - Laois Area, Portlaoise Road, Mountrath.

New Members always welcome!

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaoisRedCross

The Irish Red Cross is an Irish charity with a network of over 100 branches throughout the country - run entirely by volunteers. At this time we have over 20 members in the Laois branch. 

Most of our work is providing services to local events and large festivals throughout the country. Our volunteers are trained to respond to emergencies, treating the injured and saving lives.

We provide First Aid Demonstrations to all schools and youth clubs throughout Laois, free of charge. 

Above is our recent visit to Camross N.S for a talk about First aid, the recovery position, how to make a 999 call and the kids got a tour of our ambulance aswell. 

On Saturday 1st July we will be hosting a 5k walk, van/jeep run, a which will be Guinness World Record Attempt, followed by a BBQ and music in The Camross Inn all in aid of our Ambulance Fund. We would be appreciate everyone coming along for what promises to be a great event and to support a local organisation and it's volunteers.

We gratefully accept a stall at The Cottage Market, Mountrath on July 1st in The Macra Hall, 10am - 2pm. Call in and say hi!

Men's Shed Mountrath

Men's Shed Mountrath, Old Girl's School, Patrick Street, Mountrath, Co Laois
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm

To contact The Men's Shed Mountrath, find us on Facebook at MountrathMensShed or on call Seamus Burke on 087 2534210

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was set up in January 2011 with the purpose of supporting the development and sustainability of Men’s Sheds on the Island of Ireland.

The Irish Men’s Shed Association will work towards a future where all men have the opportunity to improve and maintain their health and well-being by participating in a community Men’s Shed.

The Men's Shed Mountrath was founded in July 2016. 

The Mountrath Shed's interests range from carpentry and woodwork, art and horticulture to computers and training.

The aim of this project was to support the set up and running of a Men's Shed branch in Mountrath as part of supporting Community Building and Social Enterprise in the area, with the help and support of the local Mountrath Community Forum.

Martin Meade, Chairperson of Mountrath Community Forum, presenting the Men's Shed Mountrath with a cheque which was awarded to them by Pride of Place sponsored by Bank of Ireland.

Have you considered calling in to the Men's Shed Mountrath and getting involved? Do you know of any men who would be interested in the Men's Shed? New members are always welcome.

"There was a shed being set up in rural Ireland, in a small town and the guy who was setting it up took a phone call from a guy enquiring about the Sheds one evening. He could tell that the guy at the other end of the phone was a bit shaky and lacking in confidence. He asked him to come along to the next meeting and said he could bring a friend. After a moment’s hesitation the other guy said; ‘I don’t have any’. So quite quickly, he replied, ‘Well, you do now’. And that captures what the shed’s about very quickly for me.”

- John Evoy (Founder of Irish Men's Sheds)

Fighting Isolation and Loneliness in Men – the extraordinary power of the Men’s Shed

- John Evoy (Founder of Irish Men's Sheds)

Mountrath Cottage Market

Come support your local growers, sowers, knitters, pickers, makers & bakers!

The Cottage Market and GIY (Grow it Yourself) initiatives are well recognised bodies with 20 market locations across the country, as well as headquarters in Waterford city. 
All goods and products sold at the market will be homemade, home grown or home crafted.

The Cottage Market in Mountrath at The Macra Hall, will take place on the first Saturday of every month 10am – 2pm.

We had an amazing line-up last weekend at Mountrath Cottage Market selling everything from Jimmie's sourdough and homebaked breads to Lucy with her knitwear & traditional Mountmellick lace.

Darren's Framed Watercolours, to Niamh's mouthwatering Cakes and Bakes from Aghaboe Farm Foods.
 

Heather's "knitted food" and Lorraine's handmade Jewellery were a massive hit with the market customers. We had Sarah's scrumptious Home Baking, Jams & Chutneys also Mary and Luchia's designer and personalised Ragdolls and Soft Toys.

Amazing upcycled treasures from Rebbecca & Classic Photos with personalised poems from Margaret were also up for grabs. Mary G. had the most amazing array of Shabby Chic gifts of all descriptions. Aileen brings exquisite upcycled furniture with decoupage and hand painting.

We love our GIY Hippie Gardner Rach, who is passionate about her hens, geese & ducks bringing Free Range Eggs, honey and of course her homegrown fruit & veg as well as plants, herbs & shrubs!

Lynda & Colette exhibit elegant accessories - shoes, bags and jewellery, a real touch of class!! We also had Edwina with her amazing personalised cards and crafts, guaranteed to blow you away.

Sue brings the most clever wooden signs in every shape make and colour for example -to match your local club colour and on which to hang your medals as well as other amazing ideas.

Sheryl brings with her a link to fairyland with her amazing hand-crafted Fairy Doors and attire. We are delighted to have the local Men's Shed join us with their wooden crafts and wood turning.

We are absolutely thrilled that The Mountrath Community Forum will have a flagship stall each month at the market with members of the Forum on hand to meet with our Community, grow relationships and support local Businesses, Clubs, Groups & Associations.

The Community Forum in Mountrath aims to “serve the people of the district”.