Holiday rental pods planned at Emo Court in Laois

Tourists may soon be able to stay in newly built cabins inside the front gates of Emo Court in Laois.

A Gate Lodge which last year was officially turned into a short term Airbnb style rental, is now to be bolstered by three more holiday units beside it, bringing tourists to Emo village.

Applicants Elizabeth Delaney and Kevin Byrne have lodged an application to Laois County Council to build three timber faced cabins, as well as a small extension to the existing Gate Lodge, a listed structure.

They had sucessfully applied in 2023 to turn the existing 1-bed cottage into a short-term let unit and says they "have had unprecedented demand for the unit" since.

"This application is for additional accommodation on the site, in the centre of Emo village, which will enhance the tourist attraction of the area and will also help with the business model as developed by the applicant," their architect states in the planning application.

"The proposal is to build 3 standalone pod units on the site, to include 2 x 2-bed units and 1 x single, disabled access unit. Under this application we have looked at the existing septic tank and found that this is substandard in all facets of current regulations and with this in mind we have had Alan Meredith carry out a percolaiton test and design a system that would be
appropriate for the additional loading.

"This small scale glamping project will entice tourists into the village and make use of the amenities of the public house and resturant, local shops and walkways.

"We have proposed a 20m² sand bed filtration percolation area on a Molloy Chieftain septic tank system. The system wil be an environmental gain for the area as this will be an upgrade of an existing poorly installed sanitary unit.

"With regards to parking, we have provided for parking for 6 cars onsite, 4 of these will be on the opposite side of the road within the overall landholdings of the applicant. 1 x EV parking space will be provided and 1 x disabled access space will be provided.

"We are proposing a small extension to the existing dwelling house. This will house an air to water heat pump unit which will provide all hot water needs and space heating for the dwelling house and the proposed 3 units. The extension will also house water softeners, comms area and utilities for the project.

"Within the scope of the works we also have included a bike stand. Our clients aim in this application is for the tourist aspect to entice walkers and cyclists to stay in these pods and use the amenities of Emo Village for hiking and exploring the area.

"We are seeking the council to grant favour of this application in a timely fashion as our applicants as seeking funding under the Just Transition Funding Model," the application states.

The application includes a letter from site owner Eamon Delaney giving permission to his daughter and her husband to seek the planning permission.

A decision is due by mid August. 

The publicly owned Emo Court house is managed by the Office of Public Works, and its extensive grounds by Coillte. The estate was gifted to the Irish State in 1994 by its since deceased owner Major Chomoley Harrison. It receives some 350,000 visitors a year to the grounds which are free to visit. An extensive renovation of the house and its grounds continues.