Laois Co Council welcomes approval for a new fire station in Rathdowney
The current Fire Station in Rathdowney
A NEW fire station in Rathdowney has been approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and will now progress to a full design and cost planning stage.
Originally submitted in December 2024, the application plan for this fire station includes a new 2 bay station, training tower and a yard, new and upgraded facilities which correspond to general national fire station standards.
The announcement comes on foot of a years-long campaign for a new fire station and upgraded facilities in Rathdowney, with previous problems including the fact that there were no female showers or toilets for the women on the crew, a lack of a communal space for small activities, and no room for important – and often life-saving – drills.
Laois County Council have previously identified a Rathdowney fire station as its number one infrastructural priority for the 2026 – 2030 Fire Services Capital Programme; a national programme from the Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management which will repay Local Authorities for money spent on the fire services, including the construction and refurbishment of new fire stations and the purchase of fire appliances and rescue and emergency equipment.
Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Barry Walsh, welcomed the news and said: “This is great news for the people of Rathdowney, it will ensure that our Fire and Rescue staff have improved facilities as they continue to protect the community. I would like to thank the hard-working staff in Laois County Council for progressing this application and I look forward to visiting the new station when it opens”.
Rathdowney councillor and former firefighter John King, who has repeatedly raised the need for a new fire station at council meetings, described the news as a very good day for the town and its fire crew.
He said: “I am genuinely delighted to see this project finally progressing. The current building is outdated, overcrowded and lacks the proper facilities needed for female staff, despite the fact that Rathdowney has the highest number of female firefighters in the county.
The Fine Gael councillor added: "My wish as a former firefighter was to deliver for my former colleagues. I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Deputy Willie Aird, who has been very vocal at Dáil level and supportive of the project.
"The site for the new station was purchased more than 15 years ago and today's confirmation marks a long-overdue and very welcome step forward for the community and for the fire service.”
