Construction begins on €4.6 million redevelopment of Laois landmark
Work is well underway on the major redevelopment of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse.
Scaffolding has been erected and construction workers are now on the site following the appointment of Braemar Construction Ltd. as the main contractor on the project in recent months.
Over €4.6 million has been invested in the landmark project for Borris-in-Ossory. The courthouse will be transformed into a new digital hub for workers and there is space for a possible café on the site.
The courthouse was built between 1825 and 1830. The original building was burned down in 1921.
The building ceased operating as a courthouse in the 1950s, and was used as council storage in the years after.
The project aims to regenerate the now derelict building and bring it back into use for the first time in years.
The project has been years in the making, with Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey announcing that tender documents would be published in April 2025. They were officially published in August of last year.
The project is being delivered by Laois County Council ’s Regeneration Section under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and is jointly funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG).
The redevelopment, designed by Howley Hayes Cooney Architecture, includes linking the north and south wings of the building, adding a passenger lift, and creating a multi-purpose space. You can view the design plans for the development here .
The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme