Laois tourist businesses get huge Fáilte Ireland and EU grants

Tourists will soon get more reasons to holiday in Laois, especially if they want to stay in a treehouse, or a historic wheelchair accessible townhouse.

Two family run Laois tourism businesses are sharing in over half a million euros to develop further, under the EU Just Transition fund.

The fund is aimed at regenerating industry in regions where jobs were lost after semi-state company Bórd na Móna stopped industrial scale bog harvesting due to the environmental damage it causes.

In Laois the grants are going to businesses in Mountmellick and in scenic Cullenagh near Portlaoise.

Glamping Under the Stars Ltd is getting the biggest share; €300,000 to build three more self-catering accommodation units including family sized tree houses and an eco-lodge.  The upmarket glamping site offers luxury pods including hobbit houses and bell tents, with bookings already stretching into 2026.

Proprietor Kyra Fingleton says the funding is "huge" for them, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"It's an opportunity to do something really special, it's quite exciting. We hope it will mean we can operate all year round, and attract overseas visitors to Laois for longer stays. It will have a knock on effect for employment as we will need staff all year round. 

"We are at the contracting and tendering stage now. We have to open by September 2026 but would hope to have them open for the next summer season," she said.

Kyra Fingleton, Glamping Under The Stars, Katherine Richardson, Martley’s, Aileen Dowling, Officer Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland and Iveta Melgaile, Pond Beach Resort. Photo: Vicky Comerford

The Forum Mountmellick is getting €220,000 for the renovation of a coach house to create universally accessible accommodation.  It is behind a grand Georgian house in O'Connell Square, all of which is being carefully restored and turned into tourist accommodation.

The owners have already converted the town's Presybyterian church into a luxury hostel, recently refurbished and reopened for the summer tourist season.

Laura Cooke from the Forum also spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"This is going to be a big help. There is a lot of work to be done. We hope to create a guesthouse and a visitor experience and hopefully a restaurant. 

"We have planning approval and it will go out to tender, possibly to be open by early 2027," she said.

Laura Cooke The Forum - Mountmellick Tourist Accommodation with Aileen Dowling, Officer Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland, Cynthia Carter - IVETA Vintage, Swallows Quarters and Anzhelika Ploskonos- Preston House at a recent tourism industry and networking event led by Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with Laois County Council, Laois Chamber Alliance, and Laois Tourism. 

The two Laois projects are among the latest 15 awarded over €4.2 million under Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, it is the second announcement of successful projects under both the Private and Community SME scheme, and the Local Authority and State Agency scheme. 

13 are private and community SMEs, including the Laois projects, that have have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland. Further projects will be announced under this scheme in the coming weeks. 

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Over €1.5 million in funding was also awarded to two projects under the Local Authority and State Agency scheme, to deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, including those that can be leveraged by the private and community sectors.  They include over €1m for the Hodson Bay waterfront in Roscommon and €520k for Shannon Harbour in Offaly.

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is Peter Burke TD.

"I am pleased to see today's announcement of further investment in projects by Government through Fáilte Ireland and the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. The EU Just Transition Fund scheme is supporting sustainable economic development and job creation in communities and businesses across the Midlands. I look forward to seeing these projects develop over the next year and to announce further successful projects for the Midlands over the coming weeks and months under this funding scheme”. 

Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy is Darragh O’Brien TD. 

“These projects, which will deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, will play a key role in the regenerative tourism development journey in the Midlands. I look forward to the delivery of the projects and to witnessing their positive impact across the Midlands region.”

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said: 

“It’s fantastic to see even more tourism businesses and communities benefit from this transformative Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. This investment of over €4.2million will help sustain local communities by creating new opportunities for employment, empowering local businesses, and providing more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East.”

Clare Bannon is acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. 

"This is an exciting announcement that an additional 15 tourism projects are receiving funding from the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. EMRA is delighted to be working with Fáilte Ireland in administering this EU Just Transition funded scheme to bring direct support from the EU to the local level."

More funding for private and community SME schemes will be announced over the coming weeks.