Contracts signed for €4.6m Laois courthouse project

CONTRACTS have been signed for a €4.6m redevelopment of the old courthouse in Borris-in-Ossory.

The long-derelict building on Main Street will be transformed into a Community and Digital Enterprise Hub, with work expected to be completed within 18 months.

The 200-year-old building has been an eyesore for many years, with its negative impact exacerbated by its prominent position at the western entrance to the village from the motorway.

Portarlington-based Braemar Construction Ltd is the main contractor and works are expected to begin within the next month. Designed by Howley Hayes Cooney Architecture, the project will link the north and south wings of the building and add a passenger lift, creating a multi-purpose space.

The new Community and Enterprise Digital Hub will provide enterprise spaces, including possible co working facilities, together with community meeting rooms.

At the contract signing in county hall on 24 February, Laois Co Council management said the heritage led regeneration project would bring ‘major positive economic, environmental and social benefits’ to the village.

A council spokesperson said: ‘‘The redevelopment of the courthouse marks a major step forward in bringing long vacant heritage structures back into sustainable use, for the benefit of the community and local businesses.

‘The main objective of the redevelopment is to remove a prominent source of dereliction and restore a landmark protected structure into a modern digital hub, which will provide enterprise and community space in the village.’ 

Council chief executive Michael Rainey said at the contract signing: “Restoring the courthouse not only safeguards valuable architectural heritage but also provides new, high quality facilities that will support enterprise, community groups and town centre renewal for future years.” 

Among those attending the signing of contracts were council director of services Angela McEvoy; Braemar Construction representatives Terry and Jonathan Higgins; Howley Hayes Cooney Architecture representatives Lucy O’Connor and Patrick Tyrrell; council chair Cllr Barry Walsh and councillors Conor Bergin, John King and James Kelly.

Ms McEvoy, who is director of services for planning, regeneration and economic development, said she was looking forward to the first sod being turned on site and working with the contractor and consultant architects to restore the landmark building.

She said: “The completion of the Community and Digital Enterprise Hub will protect what is an iconic building in Borris-in-Ossory for current and future generations to come.” 

The project is being delivered by the council’s regeneration section, under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and is jointly funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.