WEALTH October 22, 2026 0 Comments

Why County Laois Is the Unexpected Goldmine Every Savvy Investor Is Eyeing Right Now

Ever wonder why, for years, every savvy entrepreneur’s first thought in Ireland has been Dublin? It’s no mystery — the capital boasts prime infrastructure, rich talent pools, and connectivity that’s hard to beat. But here’s the catch: that old formula is creaking under rising costs, traffic snarls, and talent wars that are draining the lifeblood from businesses. Now, imagine a place that’s not trying to play second fiddle but stepping up as a contender in its own right — welcome to County Laois. With InvestLaois, backed by the EU Just Transition Fund, this region is boldly making the case as a savvy, strategic hub offering unbeatable central access, ready-to-go workforce resources, and serviced lands primed for growth. What if the answer to your business’s next leap isn’t in crowded Dublin but nestled comfortably where half of Ireland can be reached in 90 minutes? Sounds like a play worth considering, right?

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County Laois is positioning itself to attract new investment through the InvestLaois initiative, supported by the EU Just Transition Fund

For years, the question of where to locate a business in Ireland has tended to default to Dublin.

Infrastructure, talent and access have been concentrated there. That model, however, is under pressure.

Rising costs, congestion and competition for talent are prompting a reassessment.

County Laois is well placed to respond. Laois County Council has launched InvestLaois, a focused campaign designed to present a clear, evidence-based case for investment.

The intention is not to position Laois as an alternative, but as a commercially sound choice in its own right — connected, cost-effective and scalable.

The county’s physical advantages are clear. Located at the intersection of the M7 and M8, and supported by strong rail connectivity, Laois provides direct access to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

From Portlaoise, half of Ireland’s population can be reached within 90 minutes, making it a practical base for national operations.

The more compelling advantage, however, lies in its workforce.

A Commuter Survey undertaken in March 2026 points to a sizeable and underutilised talent pool already living in the county.

The survey captured 1,650 participants’ views, a snapshot of the approximate 13,000 Laois residents currently commuting out of the county for work.

A WORKFORCE DEFINED BY CONSTRAINT

Of these commuters, 68 per cent hold third-level qualifications and are employed across sectors including engineering, healthcare, finance, technology, manufacturing and education.

The pattern is not one of preference, but of constraint.

The average one-way commute is approximately one hour and twenty-five minutes, while 81 per cent of respondents indicate a clear preference to work closer to home.

This gap between where people live and where they work is increasingly material. It reflects not just unmet demand for local employment, but a structural opportunity for employers.

“This is about the availability of Laois as a place to invest, to build and to grow,” says Michael Rainey, chief executive of Laois County Council.

The workforce is not only present, but experienced, mobile and motivated.

For employers, this translates into reduced hiring risk and greater certainty.

Access to a workforce already embedded in the region shortens recruitment timelines and supports more stable workforce planning.

That advantage is reinforced by adaptability. More than half of respondents report some degree of remote or hybrid working, pointing to digital capability and flexibility across sectors.

Infrastructure is already in place to support this opportunity.

The National Enterprise Park at Junction 17 offers a strategically located, serviced landbank with capacity for enterprise, logistics, manufacturing and professional services.

Its significance is reflected in investment by IDA Ireland, which has secured additional land at the site.

“What we have here is available employment land at a location that is serviced, connected and supported by every major stakeholder in enterprise development in Ireland,” says Rainey.

“The infrastructure is here, and there is a highly skilled, highly motivated workforce living within minutes of this site who are ready to work.”

Taken together, the proposition is straightforward. Laois offers central connectivity, available land and a skilled workforce that is already in place but currently underutilised locally.

In a tightening labour market, that alignment is increasingly difficult to replicate. The case for Laois is not speculative.

It is grounded in existing infrastructure and demonstrated labour supply.

The conditions required for investment are not in development; they are already present. The question is no longer whether Laois can support business growth.

It is whether businesses are prepared to recognise the opportunity.

“Businesses considering expansion, relocation or investment opportunities are encouraged to engage with the InvestLaois team to explore the opportunities available across the county.”

InvestLaois is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.

Further information is available at Investlaois.ie