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19 Mar 2026
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19 Mar 2026
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With the major project to redevelop the historic Portlaoise Convent and its surrounding lands now finished, the Leinster Express / Laois Live were invited to take a tour inside the iconic building on Church Avenue which has been transformed into social housing.
The Presentation Convent and lands, including the former Ha’penny Babies School and Sacred Heart Primary School, was approaching dereliction for a number of years.
The buildings over time fell into disuse after the departure of the Presentation Sisters and the amalgamation of local schools in 2017.
Now, the once derelict site has been revitalised to deliver 52 new social homes.
The Sophia Housing Association in partnership with Laois County Council took on the project which saw an investment of over €27 million of public funds.
The housing project was funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS).
As well as delivering new homes, the project included a new public park and public outreach and youth services locations.
Laois County Council secured additional funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to develop, improve and integrate the site's new public realm components.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
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