Historic Laois Quaker property to be converted into guesthouse and restaurant

A landmark house in Mountmellick's historic Georgian square is planned to be turned into a guesthouse and restaurant.

The Forum Hostel in Mountmellick, created and owned by native businessman Eugene Conroy is set for a major expansion of its accommodation offerings, and a second important heritage restoration project.

The hostel is based in a carefully restored Victorian 19th-Century Presbyterian Church and Manse on the main street of Patrick Street. The main hostel currently is home to Ukrainian families escaping the war on their country. 

To its rear, the coachhouse was recently renovated into a two bedroom self-catering holiday home, while the business also offers campervan parking and support.

Now the Forum is setting its sights on a second and even bigger architectural restoration for commercial use.

It has submitted a planning application to Laois County Council to convert the Quaker Meeting House, a three storey over basement Georgian terrace house in O'Connell Square dating back to 1810, into a boutique guesthouse and a restaurant.

A building in the garden of the house was the meeting room for the religious community which settled in Mountmellick in the 1800s, turning it into a thriving industrial hub in Ireland.

The house was partly renovated in recent years, and sold in 2023 for €330,000, according to Property Price Register Ireland.

The dining room in 3, O'Connell Square.

The Forum say that 'The Square' will offer accommodation to "large groups, couples or singles".

The application seeks permission for a Change of Use from an existing, 3-storey over basement dwelling house and 3-storey return to a 6-bedroom guesthouse".

The connecting, rear 2-storey outbuilding is planned to become a restaurant with ten tables, on two floors with a ground floor extended kitchen and an administration office at first floor level all connected to the proposed guesthouse.

An existing 2-storey coach house is to be converted to a ground floor accessible guest bedroom and storage and a first floor, one-bedroom apartment will be served by a new, private stairwell.

The rear building planned to become a restaurant. Image from planning application.

The application says that nine parking spaces and a universal bay will be set aside for guests on site, while they can also avail of parking at The Forum up the street. 

A basement wine cellar will again be used for wine storage, with details of the project listed in a Conservation Report.

A photographic record is to be created following the restoration, including the above photo taken c1850.

The works include the demolition of an existing kitchen entrance porch, general conservation and repair works/ alterations to the existing buildings, extensions consisting of a ground floor extension to the kitchen, a glazed orangery link between guesthouse accommodation, a new stairwell for the restaurant, bicycle and car parking, bin store and all associated site-works and services at No. 3, O Connell Square, Mountmellick, Co. Laois. The premises is a protected structure under ref. RPS 014

A decision is due on the application by May 20.