Mountmellick (Móinteach Mílic in Irish) is a town in the north of County Laois in Ireland. It was a significant industrial town before the Famine of the mid-19th century, when it was known as "little Manchester". This was partly thanks to the Grand Canal, the Mountmellick branch of which is now filled in. Mountmellick embroidery, also known as Mountmellick Lace, became one of the most popular forms of needlework during the 19th century.

The principal town of County Laois, Portlaoise was known as Maryborough until independence in 1922. It was originally designed as an outpost for defence of the settlers, and it has played a significant role in the history of Ireland. You can see evidence of the town's long history in the remains of the old town walls and a circular tower.