Gleneagle Group takes over new waterfront hotel

ONE of the country’s most famous hotel groups is to manage a newly completed waterfront complex in West Cork.

The landmark Maritime Hotel in Bantry, on the eastern approach to the harbour town, will be run by the Gleneagle Hotel Group.

The Killarney-based group plans to open the Bantry amenity on St Patrick’s Day.

It’s the second hotel to be added to the group’s managerial portfolio in recent months.

In November last, The Glasshouse — a brand new hotel in Sligo city centre — was opened for business.

The Gleneagle group’s managing director Patrick O’Donoghue said: “We have considered expanding the group to other locations for some time now and the Maritime’s beautiful location, excellent facilities and highly contemporary design met all our criteria.

“We have been running hotels and tourism projects in Killarney for 50 years, specialising in family-based holidays, corporate travel, conferences and entertainment. “We plan to bring this wealth of experience to Bantry and look forward to joining the hotel and tourism sector in West Cork helping it to thrive in the months and years ahead.”

He added: “We hope this hotel will be a welcome enhancement for the area, catering not just for the tourist and the business visitor but also for increased local demand as a venue for wedding parties, celebrations, meetings and conferences.”

The hotel, which features a number of suites, was developed by the Bantry-based Murnane & O’Shea group.

Its managing director Daniel Murnane said: “We are absolutely thrilled that a hotel group as renowned as the Gleneagle is coming on board. Their reputation for excellence in the tourism industry is second to none.”