Ballybunion closures a sign of economic recovery not felt outside Dublin

A seaside town which lost a hotel and a theatre in the same week has criticised the Government for ignoring rural Ireland. One councillor in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, said: “This so-called economic revival is only being felt in Dublin.”

Locals in the North Kerry town were stunned by the announcement that the Tintean Theatre, which opened 10 years ago, was to close.

It came just days after the owner of the Ballybunion Golf Hotel announced he was shutting the doors for good with the loss of 80 jobs.

The double whammy is a massive blow to tourism in a town once famed as one of the country’s busiest resorts.

Sinn Féin councillor Robert Beasley said: “The benefits of this resurgent economy have not been seen outside Dublin and that will remain so. If there is an improvement it will be at a snail’s pace.

“The West of Ireland has been completely forgotten about by successive governments.”

The Golf Hotel, due to celebrate 50 years in business, closed in late 2015. Owner Michael Carr said it would not be opening for the usual March to October season. He blamed a lack of support from local and national tourism bodies for declining business.

The contents of the 100-bedroom hotel, nightclub, and restaurants are being auctioned on March 25/26 while the contents of the 530-seat Tintean theatre are also to be sold off.