For a time, Lawless’s was one of Wicklow’s best-known hotels, with parts of the iconic building dating back as far as 1787, but it shut its doors before the pandemic, falling into disrepair and afoul of vandalism and never re-opened.
After years of speculation, the Aughrim community learned last October that new owners with wide-ranging interests in the real estate, events, hospitality and accommodation sectors, had purchased the historic hotel.
With rumours about the hotel’s use as either an IPAS centre or accommodation for Ukrainians circulating after its acquisition, in April this year, the presence of workers at the site prompted a response from the public, with a small group gathering outside.
At the same time, a Facebook page was set up by the purported “new owners and operators of Lawless’s Hotel”, outlining their plans for ‘The Lawless Heron’ food court and writing that they had appointed a contractor to start work on cleaning up the exterior of the hotel, restoring services to the building and “making some much needed operational changes to the beer garden”.
In response to the plans and the earlier events of the day, a public meeting was organised at The Pavilion in Aughrim later that evening to discuss the community’s concerns and any potential need for the founding of a committee to investigate the property owners.
Local Wicklow representatives then sought clarity on the future of the hotel from the DCEDIY’s Community Engagement Team, who dismissed notions that the building was under consideration to house Ukrainians or International Protection applicants (IPAs).
Six months on, the 1,500 sqm property, which, in its heyday, was renowned the length and breadth of Ireland as a thriving and popular venue, is now back on the market.
Lawless Hotel, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
Needing “repair throughout to be brought back into operation”, the hotel boasts 10 guest bedrooms upstairs, a function room (which overlooks the river), and a large dining/bar area.
Offering some insight into the mooted plans for the hotel’s refurbishment, property agent O’Neill & Flanagan confirmed that the current owners intended to revitalise it, that they had invested in upgrading the electric and heating services, but their simply hadn’t worked out.
“From speaking to the current owners, there were genuine plans to revitalise the hotel,” a spokesperson from O’Neill & Flanagan commented.
“The current owners are very nice and genuine, and they did have the intention of opening the outdoor food court, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.
“I can confirm that we have some interested parties already, and there are active viewings taking place.
“There are so many items still in the property that have a long history associated with them.
“The property does need work, and the current owners had put in a lot of work regarding upgrading the electrics and the heating.
Lawless Hotel, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.
“A large part of the building was reconstructed in 2011, and there is excellent scope to increase the number of rooms (subject to planning permission) on the flat roof area of the building.
“There is so much potential there, and it’s not surprising that we have already received plenty of interest in it.”
Reacting to Lawless’s being placed on the market, a post on the popular ‘Make Lawless Hotel Great Again’ Facebook page welcomed the news, heralding it as an opportunity for the right buyer to restore it to its former glory.
“It’s great to see it going on the open market and genuine buyers will get a chance to purchase it and hopefully create something beautiful, successful and also advantageous to the community,” the post reads.
“Both Lawless and Aughrim have so much potential. Here’s hoping the right people see it and Lawless will flourish once again.”
