Big community development in Laois finally nears completion

Building works on the new Durrow Community Enterprise Hub are progressing

Published 6th Jul 2026, 18:25 BST Computer generated image of the new Durrow Community Enterprise Centre. Building works on the new Durrow Community Enterprise Hub are progressing Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

The end is finally in sight for a big community development which has been in the pipeline for a number of years in a Laois town.

The Durrow Community Enterprise Hub will open in September, following an investment of almost €2 million. In an update on the project, Laois County Council said “building works are progressing well”.

The project, which is earmarked for Patrick Street, was led by the Durrow Development Forum in partnership with Laois County Council.

The Part VIII planning proposal was first published for the project back in March 2024 and Laois County Council began the tender process in January 2025.

The local community has rallied together since then to raise funds for the project.

Events such as the Scarecrow Festival and Durrow Goes to Hollywood pulled in huge money for the development, with the original goal set at €226,000.

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Laois County Council then added €1,991,265 to the pot through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The new building will be constructed on a site adjacent to the former Methodist Chapel and Hall which will also be refurbished.

The plans were for a new two-storey structure which will provide the main accommodation for the enterprise centre.

Apart from enterprise and co-working uses, it is anticipated that the development will serve the community through a gallery and exhibition space.