The owners of Longford Country House in Enybegs, Co Longford, have been granted retention permission by the local authority for a 570sqm development, as part of efforts to address what officials describe as a “deficiency of tourism accommodation” in the county. 

The property, built in the 1970s, has previously operated as a bed and breakfast for several years.

Ownership of the property changed hands last year, with Kiernan Steel Group Ltd purchasing it from a family who had owned it since 1976, according to Land Registry documents. 

The new owners have applied to the Longford County Council for retention permission, seeking to change the use of the property from a dwelling to a guesthouse. 

According to a report by the Irish Independent, detention permits are typically requested when construction or changes to a property are carried out without prior approval.

Two years ago, the council granted retention permission for various building works carried out under the previous owners, including the construction of a garage, greenhouse, workshop, timber storage shed, and agricultural shed. 

These works were completed between 1975 and 1998. Under the new ownership, the owners submitted two additional applications for retention, including a request to convert a garage into a kitchen and laundry room, as well as a proposal for glamping accommodation.

Longford County Council granted retention for the guesthouse and approved the garage conversion. The council also imposed a development contribution of €5,277, after applying a 50% reduction under tourism strategy guidelines. 

In its report, the council stated that the development was consistent with the goals of the Longford County Development Plan and the tourism strategy. The planner’s report noted the need for additional accommodation facilities to support the county’s tourism sector.

The house itself spans 487sqm, with the garage adding an additional 83.5sqm. The overall area for retention totals 570sqm.

Over the years, Longford Country House has received positive feedback from guests, who have praised its beauty and charm. It remains unclear whether the guesthouse has reopened under the new ownership. Attempts to reach the owners for comment were unsuccessful.

In October, Kiernan Steel Group submitted an application for six glamping pods, the conversion of an agricultural building into a visitors centre, and the creation of a retreat area on the site. 

However, the council responded that the submitted information was insufficient for a decision and requested further documentation, including a planning statement outlining the need for the project, justification for the site’s location, and details on accessibility. 

Additionally, Uisce Éireann sought more information to assess the feasibility of connecting the development to public water and wastewater infrastructure. The proposed glamping accommodations will consist of two two-person cabins, two five-person cabins, and two eight-person cabins.