Castlecomer, County Kilkenny owes its development to coal mining which began in the mid-17th century under the auspices of the Wandesforde family, which had then settled in the area. The town itself was laid out by the Wandesfordes and on the main street included this building, dating from c.1800 with a curious façade on which the fenestration is resolutely unaligned. Originally serving as an office premises for the business, it later became a hostelry known as the Avalon Inn by which name it is known today. The property appears to have stood empty for some time but there are now plans to refurbish it for use once again as an hotel.