Clarion to take over hotel in Co Kildare

Irish-owned Clarion Hotels has announced that it has been awarded the management contract for the Carton House, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The 25-year contract was awarded to Clarion over competition from Starwood, Radisson and De Vere Hotels and represents an €80m development for the hotel group.

The investment will create 200 full and part-time jobs.

The 165-bedroom hotel is expected to be opened in May 2006 in time for the Ryder Cup.

This announcement is part of expansion plans for Clarion Hotels Ireland which include the opening of two new hotels in Ballinode, Co Sligo and Liffey Valley, Dublin in April this year.

The group will then have five four star hotels since it was established in 2001.