In 1999, Laois Musical Society (which later became Portlaoise Musical Society) was established after a small group of people including Timmy and Josie Keane, Catherine Scully and Joe O’Brien met up to devise a plan for the county’s first musical society.

The group first took to the stage with the show Oklahoma! under the helm of its inaugural committee including Chairperson Timmy Keane, Vice Chairperson Joan McEvoy, Secretary Joe O’Brien, Assistant Secretary Carmel McSweeney, Treasurer Ken McPherson, PRO Seán Ó’Domhnaill and members Liam Ahern, Josephine Keane, Yvonne Murphy and Catherine Scully.  The society immediately captivated the local community, its members and audiences and went on to present 23 more fabulous productions and were winners of many awards over the years.

The society went from strength to strength and immediately captivated its members and audiences with its fabulous productions and were winners of many awards over the years. Over the years the society has been nominated and won a plethora of A.I.M.S. (All Ireland Musical Awards) Awards - the culmination of which was in 2019 when Portlaoise Musical Society won ‘Best Overall Show’ with Titanic - The Musical, followed by  ‘Best Overall Show’ (Runner-up), among others for Ragtime-The Musical in 2020! The latest successes for the society include runner-up awards in the 2023 AIMS Awards for ‘Best House Management’, ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’ and ‘Best Technical’. The society enjoyed a sell-out success, standing ovations and rave reviews for their most recent show Made in Dagenham, last November and the Irish musical premiere of Sunshine on Leith, featuring the music of The Proclaimers in 2022, are really excited now to bring Guys & Dolls,  one of the most beloved Broadway shows to the stage at Dunamaise Arts Centre from 16th to 19th November for its Portlaoise revival!