Old Coach House sustainable accommodation opens in Offaly

The Old Coach House opened on 21 August 2026 following a €600,000 redevelopment
The project received €300,000 from Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism Scheme
The venue can host up to ten guests in two loft apartments and three pods
One pod is specifically designed to be wheelchair-accessible
Sustainable and recycled materials were used throughout the restoration

The Old Coach House, a brand-new sustainable tourist accommodation, officially opened its doors on Friday, 21 August 2026 in the heart of Tullamore, County Offaly, following a €600,000 redevelopment to rescue and carefully restore an eighteenth-century landmark on Church Street. The project was brought to life by owners Vanessa and Aidan Shortall, backed by €300,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, part of the EU Just Transition Fund. The fully restored eco-friendly venue can host up to ten guests at a time, providing a modern, self-catering holiday experience.

The property offers two loft-style apartments built inside the original, historic Coach House building and three self-contained accommodation pods situated on the property grounds, with full accessibility features including one pod specifically designed to be wheelchair-accessible. Recycled and sustainable materials were chosen for the entire building restoration, with historic protection ensuring the building looks like its eighteenth-century self but meets top modern living standards. Longer stays are encouraged by this build, helping boost local shops, pubs and eateries in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

The project focuses heavily on preserving local Irish history while remaining eco-friendly, with the €300,000 funding from Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme supporting the restoration. The accommodation adds to Ireland’s growing range of eco-conscious visitor stays in the Midlands, with the Hidden Heartlands region benefiting from increased tourism infrastructure. The Old Coach House represents a model for sustainable tourism development that balances heritage preservation with modern visitor expectations.

Vanessa Shortall, co-owner of the Old Coach House, shared: “We are delighted to open our doors and welcome guests to this beautiful eighteenth-century landmark that has been carefully restored with sustainability at its heart.”

Aidan Shortall, co-owner of the Old Coach House, shared: “The €300,000 funding from Fáilte Ireland has been instrumental in bringing this project to life and creating a unique eco-friendly accommodation in the Midlands.”