The Store Yard in Portlaoise is a home interiors treasure

Carol O’Callaghan went in search of a cup of coffee off the M1 and discovered home interiors treasure.

Every so often a recession success story pops up and sometimes in unexpected places, like driving between Cork and Dublin when a coffee craving that can’t wait to be sated takes you veering off in the direction of Portlaoise.

Great surprises happen in the world of interiors, and for me it was seeing a sign for The Store Yard, while looking for that very caffeine hit, prompting a memory of having been there about eight years ago when owner, ex-builder David Keane, had been in business for two years, selling an eclectic selection of architectural and home interiors salvage, from sculptures and country-house wooden panels to furniture and kitchenalia.