Permission sought to alter and upgrade iconic Irish pub in Laois

Planning permission is being sought to alter and upgrade an iconic Irish pub in Laois that attracts international tourists.

Listed building Morrissey's on Main Street in Ireland's Tidiest Town of Abbeyleix, is to undergo development, if Laois County Council grants approval.

Applicant Newshore Ltd is seeking to carry out development to the protected structure in an ACA.

It has eight measures listed. To demolish a storage shed, removing existing toilets to the rear. To alter and make opes to the interior of a tea room area to comply with fire safety guidelines.

Image: Jade Flynn TripAdvisor

To construct a new restaurant, kitchen and storage area, converting office space to toilets. The construction of a two storey extension to the northern side of the building to accommodate a toilet block on the ground floor and a linen press and bathroom on the 1st floor.

To change uses of 1st floor residential to commercial and alter the layout of the bedrooms to accommodate bathrooms.

To construct a new flat roofed extension to the rear of the main building to accommodate a bedroom, bathroom, lobby and, new fire escape and finally, to raise the roof over the keg store to allow space for a plant room and all associated and necessary siteworks, at Morrissy's, Main Street, Knocknamoe, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, R32 T1X8.

A planning decision is due on the application before January 31, 2024. 

One of Ireland’s best known traditional pubs, appearing on postcards and tourism literature, Morrissey’s of Abbeyleix was bought and reopened by local man Dan Tynan in 2022. 

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It is run by local man and former Morrissey’s publican John Nolan who said its historic character would be retained with anything inauthentic to be removed.

Famed for retaining its original character, the former grocer shop turned bar was recently chosen as one of the top 20 pubs in Ireland by Lonely Planet, describing it as one of the ‘20 of the best pubs in Ireland for pints, music and the time of your life’ and for “Transporting you back in time to the 1900s.”

A host of national and international stars have frequented Morrissey’s over the years and the pub has served as a backdrop for TV ads and films.