MOST READ (2024): Michelin chef joins billionaire for restaurant venture not far from Kilkenny

Stripe founder and billionaire owner of Abbey Leix estate, John Collison is joining with a Michelin star level Irish chef to plan an exclusive restaurant and guesthouse in the ruined Laois mansion he snapped up last year.

Mr Collison bought the derelict Millbrook House on the edge of the estate for a bargain sum of €400,000 from Laois County Council.

With a careful €6m restoration job underway, a new application has been submitted to Laois planners to change its use to that of a restaurant.

Millbrook House with stabilisation works to prevent further deterioration.

It will be run by the former head chef at the Michelin starred restaurant Bastible, Cuán Greene from Dublin.

“I am very excited to announce that I am opening a restaurant, guesthouse, and 4-acre farm in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland. It will be called Ómós. It’s a dream I’ve had for over 17 years, ever since I took my first step into a kitchen,” Mr Greene announced on social media.

Abbey Leix House also announced the news.

“Cúán Greene, the former head chef of Bastible, is set to open Ómós, a new multi-purpose venue at the historical Millbrook House situated next to the Abbeyleix House and Farm.

“Millbrook once formed part of the De Vesci estate and was almost in a state of disrepair when acquired. This long-awaited project includes a uniquely designed restaurant and a guesthouse as the renovated and restored Millbrook House.

“Cúán's vision encompasses a combination of informal hospitality and thoughtful cooking, intending to create an atmosphere more akin to an Irish home than a typical luxury hotel. The project, reflecting Cúán's extensive culinary experience, is expected to open in 2025,” the estate managers announced.

Artist's impression of the new restaurant building.

Millbrook House was forcibly bought from its previous owner with a Compulsory Purchase Order by Laois County Council, with the aim to flip it on to a new owner with a proviso that they do urgent works needed to save it from ruin.

In stepped the Abbey Leix House owner who bought it for €400,000 and developed the new concept for it.

The new planning application which so far has been returned twice to the applicant as “incomplete” will seek to turn it from a private residence, to a 16 bedroom guesthouse and restaurant.

Comhlacht na Feirme Ltd seeks permission for: "The restoration of the external elevations of Millbrook House (including extant original windows) and all of the coach house, including the upgrade of the historic timber sash windows with double glazing units;

"The reconstruction of the three principal reception rooms of Millbrook House along with other ancillary spaces and new windows.

"The construction of a new roof, including dormer windows, and a full height corner extension (2.5 storey) to Millbrook House, and standalone 1.5 storey structure 139sqm to the rear.

"The adaptation of the remaining internal spaces of Millbrook House and the coach house to provide guest accommodation; including upgrade of building services.

"The above works will result in a total of 16 guest bedrooms across Millbrook House (with extension) (899 sq m), coach house (145 sq m) and proposed 1.5 storey structure (139 sq m).

Artists impression of the restored Millbrook House.

"The development will also consist of the construction of a restaurant building (688 sq m), comprising two single storey buildings and external terraces, at the western part of the site, arranged within gardens and courtyards.

"The development will also consist of car parking, bicycle parking, landscaping, servicing yard, waste storage shed, alterations to boundary treatment, including the provision of a new service entrance and widening of the main entrance, site lighting, wastewater treatment plant and percolation."