Market House to transform the centre of Portarlington when it opens in September

Portarlington’s new community and tourist hub in the refurbished Market House in Portarlington is due to open in September. 

Laois County Council said “the redevelopment of the Market House in Portarlington presents a significant opportunity to revitalise the town, stimulate economic activity, and enhance community life.”

They say the effective management will be critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability, accessibility, and relevance of the Market House.

“In this regard Laois County Council sought expressions of interest from groups/bodies to manage and operate a civic/community and tourist information hub, and to provide a community/social enterprise space which would provide a tourist information point for the people of Portarlington and its hinterland,” the Council stated in its monthly report.  

The Council said options for the management of the space are currently being considered 

Laois County Council was granted funding of €1.2 million in 2021 by the Department of Rural Affairs and Community Development for the project which includes the surrounds in the square. It is hoped the building can once again become a focal point for the town and be used for meetings and exhibitions. As the building is a protected structure, no building works or other alterations are permitted without the permission of the Planning Authority. 

The Council is aiming to use rooms on the ground and first floor for the community. An exhibition area will be available to showcase Portarlington’s rich industrial heritage and showcase the ‘Ronnie Matthews’ collection among others. 

The Market House in Portarlington is believed to have been built around 1740-1750, to serve as a Market House and Town Hall.

Through the 19th and early 20th centuries the Market House was at the centre of life in the town. The building housed the local courts as well as being available as a hall. Regular markets were held in the open square and local courts were held upstairs.

Around 1990, after its use declined, the building was converted into a motor repair shop on the ground floor, with living accommodation above, created from the former court rooms. It remained the same for three decades until the refurbishment began in recent years.

In the summer of 2023, then Minister Heather Humphries visited the building where a longterm lease agreement was signed with the owners of the building. 

During the visit, former Director of Finance at Laois County Council, Gerry Murphy, said: “This is a project that will bring huge dividends to the town of Portarlington and the surrounding area. There has been a number of stages to where we are today. The biggest stage was the signing of a 30-year lease.”

Laois County Council refused to release details of the lease contract for the Market House when it was requested under the Freedom of Information Act by the Leinster Express/Laois Live.

The Council now say the building is expected to be open and in use by September this year.