Plans for further development of cultural quarter in Portlaoise

Plans will soon be revealed for the Granary building and the Old Barracks in Portlaoise as part of the ongoing development of a cultural quarter in the town.

There has been significant investment in recent years to enhance the Old Fort Quarter area of Portlaoise, including Portlaoise Library, the old convent site, the redevelopment of Scoil Mhuire and St Peter's Graveyard, the refurbishment of Fitzmaurice Place, and the development of the Fort Protector Outdoor Performance & Event Space.

Laois County Council acquired the Old Barracks over a year ago and now it has been confirmed that the council will be proceeding with an application for planning permission for the site as well as the Granary building in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the April meeting of the Portlaoise MD, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton, said that it is likely that soon there will be a Part 8 proposal advertised for the redevelopment of the Granary and the Old Barracks site, as well as a small welfare facility at the Fort Protector Outdoor Performance & Event Space. 

He said this will form the basis of an application that Laois County Council will make to the recently announced Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.

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"The application for the Granary building will include the retention and making of a permanent home for the Portlaoise Plane, together with other museum exhibition related services plus another building and public space in the area of the Old Barracks site," Mr Walton explained.

The Portlaoise Plane is the earliest airplane built in Ireland. It was constructed over a century ago by the Aldritt brothers and Johnny Conroy in Portlaoise. It has been planned for the historic plane to be placed on permanent display in the Granary for a number of years.

Local Portlaoise Councillor Tommy Mulligan asked the council to pursue the purchase of other suitable property or lands in the Old Fort Quarter area of Portlaoise to be used as a recreational and heritage space.

Cllr Mulligan told the council: "I still feel that there might be properties available there that we could try acquire. I think if we did manage to acquire another property or two around this area, it could potentially be developed as a recreational space and also as a heritage space. It would greatly enhance the area and showcase the walls around that area."

Many other councillors agreed with Cllr Mulligan, highlighting the further benefits it could bring to the area in addition to the work that has already been done there.

Laois County Council said it will consider other purchases in the Old Fort Quarter Area when the opportunity arises.

Mr Walton welcomed the motion by Cllr Mulligan, saying: "If there are other properties available that are not on the market you are more than welcome to bring them to our attention."

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