Laois County Council have announced that they will soon publish tender documents for works on the courthouse in Borris-in-Ossory, a six month delay from their original planned publishing date.

The renovation project, which was driven by the local community with the backing of the Council, aims to repurpose the courthouse to create a new digital hub.

A total of €3,352,492 was secured for the renovation of the building under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund last year.

In February of 2024, Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey announced that tender documents were due to be published in April 2025, inviting companies to bid for the contract.

Mr Rainey also added that the council was 'confident' that 'a successful contractor would be on-site in July'. 

In November 2024, Mr. Ken Morley, Senior Engineer in the Corporate & Community section of the Council announced that the tender would be published in January of 2025.

“It's been well covered here before this project, but I am glad to hear an update that it is going to tender next January, and we will have a contractor appointed by Q2, so probably around March or April," Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin welcomed at the time.

However, as of July 14 2025, a tender for works has yet to be published.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin announced on July 12 that following a meeting with Council officials, the tender has been finalised and 'will be live very shortly'.

"A contractor will be appointed hopefully in late Autumn 2025," Cllr Bergin said.

"All going well, construction works can begin in 2026."

The Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD Chair also announced that the Council will soon be seeking expressions of interest for businesses interested in letting office space in the renovated courthouse.

Pictured: Cllr Conor Bergin standing in front of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse, 2023.

"This is a hugely important project for Borris In Ossory and as the local Councillor living in the area, I will continue to work closely with Laois County Council on this matter," Cllr Bergin highlighted.

The Council previously stated that the start date for construction works was expected to be within 12 to 18 months of February 2025.

"This is a huge announcement for Borris-In-Ossory, and the proposed renovation of the Courthouse has been a major local issue for over 20 years since it closed," Cllr Bergin said.

"I have been working closely on this project since I was elected in 2019. A modern new wing will also be extended to the Courthouse which has the potential to be used as a community enterprise, such as a coffee shop or tea room which is needed in Borris-In-Ossory," the Borris Cllr stated.

"This is perhaps the largest ever investment in Borris-In-Ossory as a joint project between Laois County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development, working with the local community to develop a major hub for employment, community and heritage in the village," Cllr Bergin finished.

The courthouse in Borris-in-Ossory was built between 1825 and 1830. The building ceased operating as a courthouse in the 1950's, and was used as council storage in the years after. Laois County Council now hold offices on the premises.

The original building was burned down in 1921.