End of an era as great hotel closes

ONE of Kerry’s oldest hotels is due to close this weekend for a major facelift over the winter and spring months.

The four-star Great Southern Hotel, in Parknasilla, near Sneem, recently purchased by Dublin property developer Bernard McNamara for a reported €40m, is to be refurbished and upgraded.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern spends some of his summer holidays in the 60-bedroom hotel each year.