Plans to convert Laois pub in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains into hostel

Plans have been lodged to transform a former Laois pub into a 29 bed hostel in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. 

Evan Harding has applied for permission to turn The Swan Public House into a hostel with seven bedrooms, a dining room and self catering kitchen. 

The plans which were lodged with Laois County Council on January 29 are still at pre-validation stage with the council planning department. The Swan Public House is located on the R422 road at Clonaslee in the foothills of the scenic Slieve Bloom Mountains.  

Planning  approval is being sought for: “A. The conversion of The Swan Public House into hostel accommodation, comprising of 29 bed capacity over 7 bedrooms with associated common room, dining room, self-catering kitchen, and associated office and ancillary spaces for administration of the development, and all associated site works. 

1. The provision of a new shopfront, additional windows and 1 no. rooflight to the East Elevation and additional windows to the South Elevation 
2. The construction of 3 no. new masonry outbuildings with flat roofs within the existing external courtyard, to provide a bin store, general storage and a secure bike shed.”

The Council is expected to decide on the planning application by March 27, 2025.