Plans for new fire station in Laois progresses after 23-year wait

The construction of a new fire station in Rathdowney has finally progressed following a 23-year wait.

Laois County Council purchased a site for the new fire station in 2002 and Part VIII of the proposals for the development were approved in 2010. However, the project has remained at a standstill since then.

The existing station in Rathdowney has been described as "not fit for purpose" by local councillor and former fireman John King.

In January, Cllr King pleaded with Laois County Council to prioritise the development of a new station in Rathdowney and noted that the current station does not have space for indoor drills or even female showers and toilets to cater for the three women in the fire crew.

Laois County Council listed a new fire station for Rathdowney as "its number one priority project" for the fire services capital programme 2026 to 2030. 

Now, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management have approved the plans to proceed with a detailed design and costings for a new two-bay fire station in Rathdowney. 

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An invitation to tender for an architect-led design team has also opened, which will close on April 27, 2026.

The planned layout for the new Rathdowney fire station.

Laois County Council is tendering for an architect-led design team to provide consultancy services, as per the detailed design brief, for the new station which will be located in Newtownperry and extend from Pound Street to the Johnstown Road.

The contract will be for 5 years, with construction envisaged to commence in the first or second quarter of 2027.

According to the tender documents, while there is no fixed budget, the design and build costs should not exceed the minimum necessary for the provision of a fire station and associated facilities in Rathdowney. The notional value of the project is €3 million.

Laois County Council explained that the current fire station cannot be considered for upgrading due to being located on "an extremely confined site." They also said the expected functional life of the new facility is 40 years.

The new fire station will be a two-bay design, meaning that it will be capable of housing two fire service vehicles. The project will also include the demolition of the existing building on site.

Commenting on the update of the project at the recent meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr King said: "I'm delighted that the fire station plan is going ahead in Rathdowney. The site has been there in Newtownperry for over 20 years."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme