Hotelier sad to leave business after 17 years

A well-known hotelier will this weekend leave the premises he has tried to rescue over the past two years.

Through a €4m investment, Pat Gill developed Darby O’Gill’s outside Killarney, Co Kerry, from a pub to a hotel over a period of 17 years.

However, it went into receivership in 2010 and was purchased at a fire sale auction in Dublin last month for €735,000 by Cavan-based investors Exsol Ltd.

“Unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this horrendous recession and, even though I fought tooth and nail to resolve my difficulties, it did not led to a resolution,” said Mr Gill

Mr Gill said he had worked with the receiver to try to save the business over “two very tough years” but could not come to an agreement with the bank.

“We offered three or four different scenarios, including a lease or a buyout, and did everything we could to get it back. But there was no dealing with the bank which put the property on the market twice within two years,” said Mr Gill, who was an underbidder at the fire sale.

“Sixteen months ago, we made an offer of €1.2m to the bank but they would not accept it. Yet the property has since been sold for considerably less.

“Banks themselves are being rescued but there’s no plan to rescue fellows like me. And there are thousands more like me. If given a fair chance, I would have been able to work things out and continue on.”

Mr Gill is married to Joan and they have four children.

He said they intend going back into the hospitality business and were looking for opportunities.

Thanking his customers, staff and suppliers, he said Sunday will be one of the saddest days in his life. “But I leave knowing I’ve made many friends and that I did my best, and that another opportunity will arise once I get going again,” he said.