Businessman Pat McDonagh has confirmed his purchase of the Killeshin Hotel today, saving in 98 jobs in the process and with the possibility of creating further employment in the area. While the deal is currently awaiting the result of the Competition Authority’s decision, it is anticipated that the hotel may be handed over in three to four weeks’ time so that renovation works may begin.
Speaking about the business deal Pat McDonagh says “we are delighted to be safeguarding jobs locally which may otherwise have been lost. We are also most pleased that people who have events booked in the hotel can look forward to them in confidence and can be assured of receiving the finest quality hospitality and service.”
“Situated just outside the town of Portlaoise, the Killeshin Hotel has a proud history of service to the town of and the hinterland of Laois.” Mr. McDonagh said he will embark on a significant investment programme upgrading the hotel’s facilities to offer modern, quality standards to customers on a par with the Castletroy Park Hotel, Lough Rea Hotel & Spa and the Charleville Park Hotel which Mr. McDonagh and his wife Una have recently acquired.
Mr. McDonagh continues “We are thrilled to be able to provide such an employment boost to the town and look forward to working with the team in the hotel. Una and I are committed to improving the service and offerings of the Killeshin Hotel. We plan to initially invest €500,000 to upgrade the infrastructure and design features of the hotel over the coming months, making it even more comfortable for guests and visitors. This investment may increase to €1 million as the project progresses.”
“It’s a pleasure to provide hotel facilities to Portlaoise and its surrounding areas, most especially as the hotel plays a vital role as an income provider in the area through its levels of employment, with visitors bringing business to the locality through secondary spending and the hosting of social events and celebrations. Buying from local suppliers and promoting them to guests within the hotel is naturally a priority for us, as it is throughout all of our business interests.”
“Having seen wonderful success through the growth of the Castletroy Park Hotel and the Lough Rea Hotel & Spa over the last three years and more recently the Charleville Park Hotel, we hope to see a similar level of progress in the development of the Killeshin Hotel as we move forward” he concludes.