Green light to turn iconic former Laois hotel into luxury townhouse

A once iconic Laois hotel on the main journey to the west is set to be turned into a luxury private townhouse.

The Leix County Hotel in Borris-in-Ossory was once the stop-off for Limerick bus passengers and go-to for dances, but has lain idle for over a decade.

Now Laois County Council has approved a couple's plan to demolish the ballroom and other buildings, and reconstruct it as a grand private home to include a private garden with trees and a lily pond.

Applicants Kevin and Louise Nolan plan to demolish various single and two storey structures comprising the former ballroom and public bar area and ancillary structures, to the rear and side of the existing three storey former hotel building, and a change of use on the site from commercial to domestic.

There will be internal modifications to the existing three storey structure and alterations to its façade. They plan to build a single storey domestic extension to the rear of the existing three storey structure, fronting on to St Patrick’s Terrace.

It includes construction of a large domestic garage fronting onto St Patrick’s terrace, some 7m tall.

A two storey townhouse will be added to the side of the existing three storey former hotel building fronting onto Main Street. Alterations to the site entrance and boundary wall on St Patrick’s Terrace and associated site works.

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Their architect says that they will plant native trees which will add to the biodiversity of Borris-in-Ossory.

The thriving 19 bedroom hotel of 17,000 sq feet on five acres was estimated at being worth £900,000 as a going concern in 1997 but since closed down. The town is now bypassed by the M7 motorway.

It was sold in a distressed property auction for €120,000 in 2016.

The planning approval was granted in late September.