Accommodation shortage prompts Laois pub to apply for planning

The regular Pub Spy feature in the Sunday World gives the lowdown on bars around the country including the price and quality of drinks, the friendliness of staff and even the condition of the toilets.

placeholder image — The regular Pub Spy feature in the Sunday World gives the lowdown on bars around the country including the price and quality of drinks, the friendliness of staff and even the condition of the toilets.

Morrissey's in Abbeyleix is looking to provide accommodation for its staff

A landmark Laois pub plans to turn an outbuilding into staff accommodation due to the lack of rental property in the area.

Morrissey’s pub on Main Street, Abbeyleix, is one of Ireland’s best known public houses and it has been frequented by many famous patrons.

Its owners have applied to Laois County Council for planning permission to turn outbuildings at the rear of the pub into staff accommodation.

Newshore Limited is seeking permission for the change of use of the two storey outbuilding and the single storey outbuilding to staff accommodation. They plan to change these into three one bed units.

A further two one bed units and one two bed unit are proposed in a new two storey staff accommodation building at the rear of the pub.

In a letter submitted with the application, an engineer working on behalf of Morrissey’s said: “This development has arisen due to the lack of available rental accommodation in Abbeyleix. Due to this proposed development, the car parking previously granted planning had to be adjusted however the two EV car parking spaces are retained along with bicycle parking.”

The planning application was lodged with Laois County Council on August 22. It has been deemed incomplete.