A Laois businessman has returned to his native town to develop a new business.

Mr Tadhg Campion, CEO of Campion Property Consultants on Dublin's Fitzwilliam square, has returned to Rathdowney to develop a new business premises at the bottom of the town's square.

The property mogul has bought and gutted the old Bank of Ireland on Ossory street, and intends to lease the premises to a 'foodie' or an individual with a business idea that will be 'of benefit to the town'.

Currently, Mr Campion is developing the old bank as a spacious and open café that can seat up to 45 people, yet this is subject to change.

Many people will know Mr Campion's son Peter, for his role as the priest in Derry Girls and Stumpy in RTÉ's Love / Hate.

The businessman grew up on Ossory street as one of five siblings. His mother Angela was known for her shop called 'Daneman's' but known affectionately as 'Angela's'.

Mr Campion told the Leinster Express / Laois Live of his intentions to help locals in revitalising the town, starting with the restoration of the Ossory street property.

Pictured: Rathdowney's old Bank of Ireland in May 2025

"People in the town are travelling to Abbeyleix and Durrow for their lunch, that's crazy. The new café in the old bank has big, high ceilings and can seat up to 45 people. I am open to different business ideas for the building, but my preference is for a foodie coffee shop with quality input," he said.

"Should it be a café, it won't sell just chips and burgers, I want proper lunches with the best of food and ingredients. I'd like it to sell toasted sandwiches, quiches, soups and pastries and so on. I want the right tenant to take it on," he said.

"I want a café that will be similar to Bowe's in Durrow, or One19 in Templemore. Rathdowney is right off the motorway, I want a café where people meeting halfway between Dublin and Cork will stop here for lunch."

Mr Campion says he intends to create a business which local people can be proud of.

"I won't make money on this, I just want somewhere locally of benefit to people, which is why I'm steering towards somewhere people can go for good food," he said.

"The food will be of the highest quality. It will have proper ham off the bone, real fresh cream with a proper homemade apple tart- it'll be known as the place to go if you want a proper sandwich or a good lunch," he said.

Owning many cafés across the country, he aims to model the new café in Rathdowney off his business 105 in Clonskeagh, Dublin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cafe 105 (@cafe105_)

Mr Campion reflected fondly upon the history in the town, and the businesses that have closed in the years gone by.

"People in the town were very good to us over the years, my mother worked very hard," Mr Campion said.

"I have so many fond memories growing up in the town as a child. We had Kieran Campion's butcher shop on the other side of the butchers yard, we would help him bring the sheep in from the field. My sisters opened a small draper shop next to where the bank is now.

Read Next: Laois business restores historic building to open hardware shop and garden centre

"Rita and Mary Campion were known for the famous dog always in the window. We had Barbara Ryan and the Delaney's, Mrs Ryan and Sheila, we all came out of the area," he said.

"I remember the bakery where Mark Kirwan was, and Mrs O'Malley next to us. I think of all of the businesses around the town and its people, the town is reeking in history."

Mr Campion hopes that this business venture will be the start of the revival of Rathdowney's square, highlighting its potential as a market square.

Pictured: The food available in Clonskeagh's 105

"We are so lucky to have the square, other towns would give their arm to have it. It's treated like a car park when it's a venue.

"We have all the potential to be like Bantry, where on a Saturday people come in and sell their crafts and fresh food. We need more for the town than just our memories," he said.

"If the square were properly landscaped and restored, it would increase the value of properties massively. I'd love to see the shopfronts restored to their original styles," Mr Campion considered.

Read Next: Popular Portlaoise walking routes lack bins says Laois councillor

"We need markets, exhibitions, concerts and proper lighting, and I'd have no problem in sponsoring such a scheme. I want to support the town and assist the community this way," he said.

Mr Campion is on the lookout for someone interested in opening the Ossory street café. Those interested are asked to contact him at tcampion@cpfm.ie.