Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 11.52am
THE TAOISEACH HAS described the establishment of a Center Parcs holiday resort at Ballymahon in Co. Longford as a ‘landmark day for Irish tourism’.
Speaking at the official announcement of the project in Ballymahon, Enda Kenny vowed that “Longford is set to become one of the premier tourist destinations not just in Ireland but anywhere around.”
This is a massive opportunity that should not be wasted. Get it right, send a signal.
Longford was always looking for a day like this, now it’s arrived.
This is Longford’s day, Longford’s day for the future.
Young people here will remember this day, which will transform the lives of so many people.
Center Parcs is planning the more than €200 million project at Newcastle Wood, a Coillte-owned site, near Ballymahon and about 12 miles from the M6 motorway at Athlone.
The huge new resort will bring some 1,750 jobs to the region in the coming years.
The development is expected to create 1,000 permanent jobs as well as 750 jobs during the construction and will be a major boost for the local economy.
Job creation on that scale will see Center Parcs as employing over 5% of the entire labour force in the sparsely populated county.
The construction – which operates five, family-friendly forest resorts in the UK – will see over 500 lodges and villas, alongside spas, bars, restaurants and a swimming pool complex on the 375 acre site near the river Inny.
Local businesses are expected to benefit considerably from passing trade with an estimated benefit of €32 million annually to the local economy.
The development, which will be one of the largest ever investment and job creation projects in the Midlands, was by the Taoiseach and Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby.
“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing the Center Parcs to families in Ireland,” said Dalby.
I am certain that Center Parcs will be a great success in Longford.
We look forward to liaising closely with the local community during the next few months to get across what a Center Parcs holiday village will bring to the area.
Local Fine Gael TD James Bannon is, understandably, delighted, saying: ”This hugely significant development will provide a shot in the arm to the county of Longford and indeed the wider region.”
Center Parcs will reportedly seek planning planning permission within the next six months. The resort itself is expected to be operational by 2019.
- with additional reporting from Cianan Brennan
Originally published at 10.00 am
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Persecution complex. No interest in the royal family but they’re well rid of him.
@Paul Shepherd: Diana would be proud of him.
He has totally lost the plot.
Their going a odd way of staying out of the limelight
@Gerry k: They never said they want out of the limelight completely. There’s a difference between living in a fishbowl and being hounded by the UK gutter press with your every breath scrutinised and having your own output into the world. Being in that RF would mess anyone up, they’re right to get out. Can’t behave and interact like normal human beings
@Megan Finnegan Ward: Their own input is a reality show on the soon to be doomed Netflix. Thats some contribution.
@Pauline Gallagher: Whether it’s great or a load of shite is irrelevant to the point that there is a difference between being hounded by the press and having the Daily Mail post crap about you every day and having a voice where you actually get to give your own opinions. Don’t have to like either of them to understand the difference and that they never said they wanted to go live in a cave and never be seen or heard again. Mind, anyone who gets away from that family is doing something right imo, poisonous
“dirty game ” How many people would put up with that for $100 million Netflix paycheck . How can they stretch an 8 part out of constant moaning and whining . No more please
Zunts
I believe they were right to get out. I can only imagine the awful family feuds and nasty manipulation that goes on. There’s too much money and a very high profile institution to protect. Harry is his own man unlike his father, brother and uncles. Good luck to him.
@2thFairy: he’s not a man, he’s a wimp. He is on the royal paycheck still, he has never had a proper job, just spends his days thinking up ways of attacking his family. He is the eternal victim and actually believes his own hype, even though its completely out of proportion now. He doesn’t seem to understand how privileged he is. He lost his mother,but some kids have lost both parents even younger, are homeless, have no education, no happy childhood. They have both made this into something it is not. They have each other, 2 beautiful kids, mansions to live in, more money than they will ever need but they’re still seeking out the limelight with this battle. NOBODY CARES ANYMORE.
I never even knew Megan was mixed race until they mentioned it all the time, I just thought she was a beautiful woman. I don’t know. They deserve each other.
I’d rather watch paint dry. I can’t understand the facination about the royal family. Completely and utter stupidly.
@Joe Lynch: You don’t have to watch it.
You still somehow felt compelled to read this article and comment on it. But yeah sure, you certainly won’t watch the documentary that threatens to embarrass the Royal Family that you’d love to see embarrassed.
@Conor King: Prince Andrew has already embarrassed the royal family,way more than a Netflix documentary ever will Conor. Iam with joe on this one.
@Conor King: oh boo hoo.
People are entitled to express opinions mate – including ones that are different to yours and about things they don’t like.
Life isn’t all marshmallows, unicorns and rainbows.
@UK Hurling Bloke: You know someone pointing out that it’s funny when people go out of their way to read and comment on articles about things they declare they have no interest on (because we’d all be exhausted if we did that on everything we saw and have no interest on) isn’t ‘not liking other opinions’ and wanting life to be all happy clappy yeah?
@Conor King: Conor I am with Joe. I do not have to watch it and I will not watch it. That institution is a disgrace and so is the British establishment. All parties deserve each other
@Michael J Foley: Cool story Michael. I can tell you have no interest in the Royal Family because you clicked on this article and read it right down to the comment section.
I’m so sick of hearing about those two. It’s like they’re the only thing on the planet to talk about. I can’t imagine why anyone even cares at this stage
Himself and the missus could have just gone to ground and live the quiet life. They are probably more of a pap magnet now then ever.
Reading a description of a one minute visual trailer is a fascinating experience. I’m so glad I did it.
Who really give a s—- about them. There are wars, people homeless, people losing jobs. Spoilt overpaid publicity seeking unimportant insignificant people.
As.someone said ‘ there’s 3 truths to every story ,your truth ,my truth and the real truth ‘. But the situation where you have an heir and a.spare is the root of Harry’s intense misery I believe .He follows on from his grand aunt Margaret who seems to have been equally embittered by her 2nd.fiddle position in the family . Why they can’t create a proper role for the 2nd in line I just don’t know .
Will the family take him back when she divorces him in a year or so ????
There’ll be some craic above in heaven watching that
Everything I know about this couple, I learned against my will.
Tell someone who gives a sh!t!!!!!
The ‘dirty game’ must be the nickname he uses for the wife…
Easy to see who reads UK gutter press here.
have your say