Stradbally

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The Steam Rally

St. Patrick's church in Stradbally

View of Stradbally from Church Lane.

Stradbally (An Sráidbhaile in Irish) is a small town in County Laois, Republic of Ireland, located in the midlands of Ireland along the N80 road near Portlaoise. The town's name comes from the Irish language, which means a village, or "town of (one) street".

Stradbally is famous for its Steam Rally, an annual gathering of enthusiasts of steam-powered vehicles. Traction engines and steam-powered cars are brought to the rally and displayed - those which are in working order are demonstrated, and a steam railway offers rides along a short track. There is also a Steam Museum in Stradbally Town itself. One of the group of founders was Harold Condell who was an avid Steam enthusiast and owner. He along with his co-founders established the 'Irish Steam Preservation Society. He moved to Northern Ireland in 1966 and there he made contact with Lord O'Neill of Shanes Castle, Antrim. They, along with other steam enthusiasts from Northern Ireland started a similar Steam Rally, which was held in the grounds of Shanes Castle. This Steam Rally is now held in Ballymena Show Grounds.

It has the only narrow gauge steam railway in the Republic of Ireland, there is another in Northern Ireland.

Stradbally is also famous for Electric Picnic, A boutique music festival held annually in Stradbally Hall, owned by the Cosby Family.