Dr. Thomas F. O’Higgins, who chaired the first meeting of Portlaoise GAA, in 1887. He was a popular G.P. in Stradbally for many years. He married Anne O’Sullivan who was daughter of T.D. O’Sullivan who was one time Lord Mayor of Dublin. He was murdered at his home outside Stradbally in 1923. One of their sons, Kevin O’Higgins, played a leading role in setting up the Irish Free State including the establishment of an unarmed police force. He took a hard line during the Civil War and retained more than one enemy. He was assassinated as he walked to Mass on Booterstown Avenue in Dublin in 1927.
Paddy Brennan is a legendary figure in the Portlaoise club.
He won minor hurling championships with the Rovers Club
and when that club merged with Portlaoise in the early 1950s,
Paddy threw in his lot with the Town. He went on to star with
his club and also in the blue and white of Laois for many
years.
Teddy Fennelly Snr writes about the first Leinster provincial title won for Laois by the men from Portlaoise (Maryborough)
Paddy Bracken was one of those Portlaoise footballers who
blazed the trail for the club in the 1950s when championship
wins were scarce and in the 1960s when winning became more
fashionable
Ⓒ 1887 - 2025 - Portlaoise GAA - C'MON THE TOWN
