Bunratty Hotel checks out for €12m

TWO Ennis businessmen have acquired the Fitzpatrick Bunratty Hotel for an estimated €12 million plus and plan to invest a further €10m to add 39 holiday homes to the complex.

Fitzpatrick Bunratty Hotel owner Paul Fitzpatrick yesterday confirmed the sale of the hotel to Pugadar Ltd, a company owned by Ennis businessmen Noel Connellan and Seán Lyne, who are well known in Clare business circles.

Mr Connellan is a former president of Ennis Chamber of Commerce and is managing director of Clare Corporate Finance Limited, which channels investment funding.

Mr Lyne is a member of the well known Lyne family who have extensive hotel interests in Clare and Kerry.

It is also believed that Mr Connellan and Mr Lyne plan a re-branding of the famous hotel, which is adjacent to Bunratty Castle and Bunratty Folk Park.

“The new owners will continue to operate the hotel to its current high standards. They also plan to develop a resort facility with the construction of 39 holiday homes at a cost of €10m.

“The new development will commence immediately and will be integrated with the existing hotel facilities,” the new owners said in a statement.

The vendor Mr Fitzpatrick is the owner of The Morgan Hotel in Temple bar and the newly acquired Beacon Hotel in Sandyford.