Popular Tipperary wedding hotel closes

As many as 40 couples planning to hold their wedding reception at Aherlow House Hotel have had their plans ruined after the popular Tipperary venue confirmed it has closed its doors.

Hotel management said it was “with great regret” it ceased trading and would be unable to honour wedding and function bookings.

It is understood up to 40 couples are affected by the announcement while all the hotel’s 25 or so staff have been left go.

Anglo Irish Bank appointed a receiver to the business in 2010.

“It recently became clear that the receiver intended to place the hotel for sale on the open market,” its owners said in a statement.

“Negotiations between the receiver and Auburn Hotels (Aherlow) Ltd were unsuccessful from its point of view. On it becoming clear that the lease would not be renewed or extended the company was obliged to cease trading with immediate effect.”

It is expected that details of all wedding and function bookings will be made available by the receiver for other venues to express an interest.

There is also a chance a new operator could take over some of the couples’ bookings while staff may also be accommodated if a new owner steps in.

A wedding due to take place at the hotel next week has been relocated to Kilcoran Lodge Hotel in Cahir, Co Tipperary. Another wedding has been accommodated by Clonmel Park Hotel.