Emo Court house to reopen in Laois following multi million restoration

The tourism jewel in Laois that is Emo Court House is throwing open the front doors to welcome visiting tours again.

The manion has undergone a multi-million refurbishment and visitors will get their first glimpse, led by expert guides, this June Bank Holiday weekend.

Emo Court near Portarlington, is managed by the Office of Public Works who announced the reopening, from Saturday May 31 at 1pm.

"Exiting news from Emo Court. OPW Emo Court is delighted to announce that we are reopening this weekend.

"Upstairs; Grandeur, Guests and Gandon. Downstairs; Kitchens, Corridors and life behind the scenes.

"Be among the first to see the beautifully restored rooms on the ground floor and explore the servants' working quarters in the basement, now open to the public for the first time. Tours start from 1pm this Saturday.

"Tickets are available on a first come first served basis from our visitor hub," they say.

The grounds of Emo Court have also been upgraded, with a new carpark and picnic area and are free to visit.

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Emo Court was designed by James Gandon in 1790 for the first Earl of Portarlington, John Dawson, He was the architect behind Dublin's Four Courts and Customs House as well as the modest Church of Ireland chapel in Emo village.

A neoclassical mansion, it took over 80 years to complete.  Its Wellingtonia Avenue approach is said the be the longest avenue of Wellingtonia (Giant Redwood Sequoia trees) in Europe, stretching a mile long.

In 1920, the estate, which extended over nearly 20 square miles (52 km²), was sold to the Irish Land Commission. The house remained unoccupied. 

In 1930 the house was acquired by the Jesuit Brothers.  It was run as a seminarian to train priests until 1969 when it was sold to Major Chomeley Harrison. He spent decades restoring and maintaining the house and estate. He gifted it to the Irish State in 1994, and passed away there in 1999.