Jobs boost expected from hotel project

EAST Clare businessman Pádraig Giblin and his wife, Anne, are to embark on a business initiative in the area, which will provide up to 100 jobs locally, after they got the green light to develop a hotel and leisure facility in Tuamgraney.
It is expected that between 50 and 80 jobs will be created during the construction phase, while a further 20 to 30 seasonal jobs will be provided when the complex is operational.
The proposed mixed-use tourism, recreational and commercial development has three elements to it, including an 18-bedroom hotel, with a function room, restaurant, bar and lounge. The next element is eight apartments, which includes five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom short-term chalet self-catering accommodation units, all serviced by the hotel. The third aspect to the development is a leisure complex, with a leisure pool, changing rooms, recreation and exercise rooms.
Earlier this week, Clare County Council granted planning permission for the proposed development, subject to 27 planning conditions.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Mr Giblin said, “This has been 10 years in the planning, so we’re delighted it has been granted and hopefully it will help the community and the surrounding areas. We were previously granted planning permission for a fishing school and we are pleased that the council share our vision.
“We hope that when the angling school is in place we will draw people internationally and, of course, they will need places to stay so it is hoped that one will complement the other. The geography of the site is right for a leisure centre also, with the community college so close and for visiting tourists.”
Mr Giblin said that with angling being one of the main tourist draws to East Clare and to Lough Derg, he sees potential for international competitions to be held on the lake and believes that a hotel and apartment complex will be beneficial and open up possibilities in the area.
“We have been fishing from a young age and we will hopefully bring that aspect into it and bring people to the facility. When we bought the site originally three or four years ago, we knew that the catering and bar businesses, as well as B&Bs, were of a high and good standard but for any big event the area was lacking.
“This will open up gateways for future fly-fishing championships on the lake and for large events such as weddings or conferences to be held. Ultimately, it will help keep people in the area,” he said.
The apartments, Mr Giblin explained, are designed to suit fishermen and, in particular, families holidaying or those attending sporting fixtures in the area.
“In Scariff, they have a fine rugby club and they have connections built up internationally so the hotel will provide places for these people to stay within the community.
“This project will also help create jobs in the future between the construction phase and the running of the hotel itself.
“I don’t know when it will start exactly but we will probably organise a marketing survey and that will commence over the next while,” Mr Giblin concluded.
The conditions of his planning permission require that he extend the existing water main and public sewer, at his own expense, to service the proposed facility. Other conditions stipulate that the development must be on a phased basis.
A further condition requires that the short-term chalet accommodation shall not be used as private accommodation and must only be used ancillary to the use of the proposed hotel on the site.
Prior to the development of the hotel/leisure centre facility, the council has ordered that €146,047.34 be paid to the county council in respect of the public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the development.
In addition, a special development contribution of €12,000 must also be paid to the council’s development contribution scheme.