Local groups invited to have their say on future of renovated Laois courthouse

The renovation of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse is well underway

Published 8th Jul 2026, 20:25 BST Construction began on the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse back in May. Photo: Leinster Express. The renovation of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse is well underway 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.

Local groups and businesses are invited to attend a drop-in clinic to give their input on the future of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse which is currently being redeveloped.

Work is well underway on the major redevelopment of the Borris-in-Ossory Courthouse.

Construction began in recent weeks on the landmark project for Borris-in-Ossory which has seen an investment of €4.6 million.

The courthouse will be transformed into a new digital hub for workers and there is space for a possible café or restaurant on the site.

The project aims to regenerate the now derelict building and bring it back into use for the first time in years.

Local Councillor Conor Bergin has announced that a drop-in clinic for local groups and businesses will take place next Wednesday, July 15 from 5pm to 7pm at St Canice’s Hall.

Organised by the Local Enterprise Office, this event invites groups and businesses in the community to give their input on the future of the development and to explore the possibility for partnerships.

Cllr Bergin said: “It’ll be a friendly, informal chat setting with officials from Laois County Council. It would be great to see people there. The courthouse development is a fantastic development and it’s making great progress now. It will have a huge potential for the village.”

The Borris-in-Ossory councillor emphasised the importance of local groups having the opportunity to “put their shape on the development.”

Director of Services at Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, said that staff from the Local Enterprise Office will be in attendance to help support businesses and also make them aware of different grants that are available.

“It’s worth coming along to meet the team there who will be there to provide any assistance regarding the courthouse,” Ms McEvoy said.

At the July meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick MD, Cllr James Kelly questioned who would be responsible for overseeing and running the courthouse once it is built.

The Director of Services said that the council doesn’t have an answer on that yet but it will likely follow in the same direction as the Market House in Portarlington in terms of looking for a partner organisation.

She noted that it is 18 months before the redevelopment is complete and this drop-in clinic is the first step in exploring partnership options.