‘Great news for the town’ - €7.5 million for Fort Protector welcomed in Laois

€7.5 million was granted for the major project to redevelop the Fort Protector in Portlaoise

Published 14th Sep 2026, 19:00 BST The Fort Protector in Portlaoise. €7.5 million was granted for the major project to redevelop the Fort Protector in Portlaoise The announcement that €7.5 million has been granted for the redevelopment of the Fort Protector in Portlaoise has been widely welcomed across the county.

The landmark project aims to refurbish the Fort Protector for a museum, exhibition and indoor performance space, which is estimated to cost a total of €11.5 million.

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On Monday, September 14, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage announced that the project’s application for the Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund was successful and it would receive the maximum amount of funding available.

Portarlington was also included in the announcement, with the town being awarded €150,000 as part of the scheme to support regeneration, development and new opportunities in Portarlington.

The announcement has been widely welcomed in Laois, especially by the Laois Heritage Society who said it was a worthy investment in the county’s heritage and cultural quarter.

“Investing in enhancing the great history and heritage of our town and county is money well spent as it will make the core of the old town more appealing to locals and visitors alike,” said Teddy Fennelly of the Laois Heritage Society.

“Like many big towns, the Main Street area of Portlaoise had become a neglected area with diminishing footfall and activity. This grant is a further step in transforming the town centre into a cultural quarter making it a more attractive place in which to live and for business and leisure pursuits.

“The town grew around the Old Fort which reflects the history of Laois and is a microcosm of the history of Ireland.”

€7.5 million secured for development of museum at historic Laois site Mr Fennelly added: “From the heritage viewpoint, it will be great to have better facilities and a showcase for all that is good in our town and county. Also providing a visiting centre to showcase the Aldritt Monoplane, the first aircraft to be built and fly in the Republic, and to tell the story of Ireland’s most famous pioneer aviator, Col. James Fitzmaurice, will be a huge attraction at national and international level.”

The Chief Executive of Laois County Council , Michael Rainey, has also welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am delighted to see the Fort Protector project has been awarded €7.5 million under the first round of the Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.

“This will contribute to the improvement of a key historical location in our county town and support its redevelopment into a modern cultural and community space.”

Laois TD Sean Fleming also celebrated the news, saying it is a “game changer” for the town.

“The project in Portlaoise can now move onto the construction stage and this €7.5 million will ensure that we will have first class facilities in the town centre in Portlaoise for generations to come,” the Fianna Fáil TD said.

Deputy Fleming added: “This investment will unlock regeneration, support new development and make a difference for the people who live, work and raise their families in Laois.”

Under the Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, two towns in Laois were eligible for the grant scheme, Portlaoise and Portarlington.

It was also announced on Monday that Portarlington Town Centre Regeneration will receive €150,000 as part of the scheme. This money will be aimed at supporting regeneration, development and new opportunities in Portarlington.

Also commenting on the funding news for Portarlington, the Laois County Council Chief Executive said: “I am also delighted to see that Portarlington has received €150,000 in funding for design and planning which will in due course facilitate a further application to a future round of the Town and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund for the Market Square area of the town.

“Laois County Council welcomes this government support which compliments the ongoing regeneration of our towns across the county.”