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Our History

200 Years of Georgian Splendour

Preston House has been part of Abbeyleix for over two centuries. Originally built in 1810 as a Georgian residence, the house has seen many chapters of local history. It later became Preston School, one of the earliest post-primary schools in the county, before evolving into a well-known dining destination.

 

1810 – Built as a Georgian residence
1896 – Preston School
1990 – Fine dining restaurant
Today – Preston House Boutique 

 

Today, the house has been carefully restored and reimagined as a boutique guesthouse.

A vintage Singer sewing machine sits on a radiator cover in Preston House, surrounded by stacks of colourful books, a gold lamp with a pink fringed shade, and a framed painting on a striped wallpapered wall.
A cosy, sunlit café inside Preston House with wooden floors, vintage furniture, sofas, tables, wall art, and fairy lights. A small bar sits at the back, and large windows fill the inviting space with natural light.
A warmly lit, traditional room in Preston House features wooden floors, striped walls, framed art, and a door open to a cosy space with floral wallpaper, a piano, lamp, and books stacked near the doorway.
A cosy Preston House dining room with a piano, a table covered with a white cloth and flowers, vintage chairs, an armchair with a cushion, bookshelves, green wallpaper, and large windows with red curtains letting in sunlight.
A vibrant planter overflowing with pink, red, and purple flowers sits in front of Preston House’s rustic outdoor bar covered in ivy, with wine bottles and shelves visible in the background.
A stone courtyard at Preston House features potted plants, a blue door, large windows, a wooden dining set with a parasol, a small bench, and fairy lights hanging from trees. A yellow gate leans against the building.

In 1896, this venerable building took on a new role as it transitioned into the premises of Preston School. Founded in nearby Ballyroan in 1686 by Joshua Preston. Preston School was the first-ever post-primary school in Co. Laois. Despite facing early challenges and legal disputes over its endowment, Preston School persevered and found its new home in Abbeyleix.

In the more recent chapters of its history, the building transitioned once again, this time into the ownership of Paddy Mulhall. Paddy, a local businessman with a deep connection to Abbeyleix, breathed new life into the historic structure. He transformed it into an auction house as well as a headquarters for his other business ventures that he ran in the town. As the owner of Morrissey’s, a renowned local pub, Paddy’s entrepreneurial spirit extended to both establishments, enriching the cultural and business landscape of Abbeyleix.

Paddy sold the premises in 1990 to the Dowling Family who set up a fine dining restaurant which became very famous throughout Ireland for top quality food and service (in a time before social media). They eventually sold in 2008 and again the premises continued in the fine dining space which involved a period of one of Chapter One’s (Dublin Michelin Star Restaurant) managers running the business. It eventually had to close due to the downturn from the economic crash the country experienced in 2010.

Plan Your Escape

Whether you’re celebrating, reconnecting, or simply unwinding, Preston House offers the ideal setting for meaningful moments and memorable stays.

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