Ballycolla

Ballycolla is a small County Laois town that sits nicely between Ireland's agricultural heartland and the more built-up eastern counties. The N80 runs right through, connecting you to Portlaoise and Carlow, while the R426 takes you over to Abbeyleix for a handy circuit of this part of Laois. Dublin's about 100 kilometers northeast if you're coming from there. There's decent EV charging infrastructure with 16 fast chargers in the area, making it a grand stopping point for longer journeys. Murphy's Bar on the main street has been going strong since 1860, still sporting its original Victorian shopfront.