Derelict Laois AIB bank branch and house goes on sale at "bargain" price

A derelict former AIB bank branch on the Main Street in Portarlington has gone up for sale prompting a call for it to be put to community use. 

The landmark property had fallen into a state of disrepair leading to Laois County Council placing it on the derelict sites register and planning to buy via a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Described by many in Portarlington as an eye sore, as result of its dereliction, Auctioneer Matt Dunne said the imposing Georgian Building is “crying out to be restored”. 

“The current owners, even though they are builders themselves and spent a fortune obtaining planning permission for ten apartments, have decided to sell as they concentrate on bigger projects,” Mr Dunn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.  

Following a recent inspection, he said he was ‘blown away’ with how beautiful a building the former residence is and he thinks the adjoining kiosk (the former AIB bank) with its ornate ceiling would make a beautiful restaurant. 

If a private buyer comes along, and decides to restore it, it will be a ‘labour of love’ and to ease their pain they may qualify for up to €70,000 in grants (the vacant property refurbishment grant) and as the building is listed / protected it may also qualify for Heritage Grants,” said Mr Dunne. MORE BELOW PICTURE

The house was constructed in 1780, Georgian style renowned for symmetry, brick facades and tall windows. It was first occupied as a spacious, rectory house with the addition of the kiosk in the late 19th century. The latter served as a busy office for the community until it became a Laois branch of the AIB bank in the 1950’s. 

The house with its five bays and two storeys over basement accommodation is well laid out, with many of the original features still intact such as the winding stairs.

According to Mr Dunne,  “in the not-too-distant future the development lands to the rear will be built upon, most probably as a shopping centre (all Zoned ‘Town Centre’) and this building standing on 0.25 acres will be as valuable to the back as it is to the front”.

He said “hopefully the buyer will want to painstakingly restore the building as a Georgian masterpiece and it may even feature on an episode of RTE’s The Great House Revival.”

Mr Dunne said his clients are “anxious to sell” and  “with a disclosed reserve of only €125,000 for the house and bank and €25,000 for the adjoining development site, someone is going to get a bargain.”

Mr Dunne said anyone seeking an appointment to view can contact info@mattdunne.ie / 087 258 6247. 

Meanwhile,  Local Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said he would like Laois County Council to consider purchasing the former bank building.  

“I am hoping the council will buy it. We could have it for community use. There are groups in the town crying out for space,” said Cllr Mullins. 

READ ALSO: Council says CPO next step for derelict Laois bank

He believed the council had been preparing to obtain the property by Compulsory Purchase Order(CPO).