Laois County Council have been encouraged to carry out a ‘Health Check’ on Borris-in-Ossory and help establish a ‘Town Team’, similar to what has been done in other parts of the county.
A motion from Cllr Conor Bergin at this week’s Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in Laois County Council called on the council’s Regeneration Section to work with work with community and voluntary groups in the area.
Cllr Bergin – who also chairs that district – highlighted the significant, multi-million renovation of the old courthouse and that the momentum of that project should be seized upon.
The ‘Health Checks’ and ‘Town Teams’ have been overseen by the Town Regeneration section of the council, under the guidance of Denise Rainey, and Cllr Bergin, who is a native of Borris-in-Ossory, was seeking their support.
The council response was that with four Town Teams across Laois as well as a fifth set to come on board, they do not have the resources to establish any more at the current time.
“If a Town Team is established by the community, the Regeneration Section can advise and support that,” said Denise Rainey.
“In the case of Borris-in-Ossory the Regeneration Section is committed to the courthouse and will be working on this project for the next 12-14 months.”
“I would love if there was scope for a Town Team. It is the right time for Borris-in-Ossory. There is going to be a major regeneration of the courthouse.
“We had a problem with dereliction but there are a couple of properties for sale now on the main street and I would hope that new owners can help breathe new life.
“We have an excellent Community Development group and Tidy Towns and those groups would work brilliantly under a Town Team.
“The courthouse project will have huge potential if we get the right type of engagement,” added Cllr Bergin, hoping that it would be hugely beneficial if it could attract a commercial element as well as a coffee shop or restaurant as well as community facilities.
Cllr Bergin was fully supported by his colleagues James Kelly, John King and Paddy Bracken.
Cllr Kelly, who has been involved with the Town Team in his base in Mountrath, was full of praise for the council staff who have facilitated the initiatives. There is also Town Teams in place in Mountmellick and Rathdowney in that district as well as in Ballylinan.
“When we see the millions going into the courthouse in Borris-in-Ossory, it is the envy of the other areas,” said Cllr Kelly. “Borris-in-Ossory is the gateway to Laois from the west.
“It might need to be led from the community first,” he added.
“The more people coming into rural towns and villages the better,” said Cllr John King. “I’d fully support Borris-in-Ossory on this but it has to get buy in from the people.”
“I can see the work done in Mountmellick and it’s all positive,” said Cllr Bracken.
SEE ALSO – Borris-Kilcotton appoint new management team for 2026 season
