New €600,000 Old Coach House guest accommodation launched in Tullamore
On Friday last The Old Coach House, a new sustainable tourist accommodation offering in Tullamore, was officially opened.
The project had been awarded €300,000 in investment funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition fund.
The Old Coach House invested a further €308,000 in the development bringing the total investment to €608,000.
The newly redeveloped Old Coach House is being described as an important addition to Offaly's tourism offering, providing new high-quality visitor accommodation in the heart of Tullamore for both domestic and international visitors.
It will be open for bookings from September.
Originally dating back to the 18th century, the building has been carefully restored and transformed into a contemporary self-catering accommodation experience.
The redevelopment has created accommodation for up to 10 guests through two loft-style apartments within the restored Coach House and three self-contained accommodation pods, including one fully accessible pod. Sustainable and recycled materials were used throughout the redevelopment, ensuring the building's heritage is protected while meeting modern accommodation standards.
Speaking about the launch of the new accommodation, Aidan Shortall, owner of The Old Coach House, said: "The support we received through the Government of Ireland and the European Union’s EU Just Transition Fund was absolutely instrumental.
"Without that funding, we simply could not have undertaken a project of this scale and given this historic building the future it deserves.
"For me, this is about much more than restoring a building. It is about breathing new life into Church Street, creating employment, bringing visitors into Tullamore and showcasing our town and the Midlands as a place where investment, tourism and new opportunities can thrive.
"We are incredibly proud of what our team has achieved, and we cannot wait to welcome our first guests to The Old Coach House."
Welcoming the new accommodation facility, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said: "This project is another strong example of how investment through the EU Just Transition Fund is supporting sustainable economic development across the Midlands and helping communities realise their tourism potential.
"Projects such as The Old Coach House not only enhance the visitor experience but also contribute to the long-term renewal and revitalisation of town centres by attracting investment, supporting local businesses and encouraging more people to visit and spend time in the region."
Caroline Bocquel, CEO at Fáilte Ireland, added: "We are so pleased to see The Old Coach House open in Tullamore today.
"By transforming such a distinctive historic building into a high-quality accommodation experience, The Old Coach House is strengthening Offaly's visitor offering and encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands."
The Old Coach House is the latest project to be completed under Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs, which opened for applications in August 2023.
This is the third regenerative tourism project under the scheme to officially open in Offaly, following Watershed Flyfishing in 2025 and Banagher Open Water Pool earlier this year.