Big plans for iconic Ard Rí Hotel

second, high-end Waterford hotel is planned by the purchaser of the Ard Rí/Ardree Hotel as the city positions itself as a pivot in the Ireland’s Ancient East tourism drive.

The purchase of the long-derelict yet originally iconic Ard Rí was confirmed this week, and the new owner is Seamus Walsh, who is also the owner of the Waterford Castle Hotel. The local businessman investor from the Waterford/south Kilkenny border and aged in his early 50s spent 30 years in Australia before returning to buy Waterford Castle Hotel two years ago, for €6m.

While Mr Walsh plans further investment at the landmark castle on an island with golf course and holiday lodges in the Suir, the scale of what’s ahead of him above the urban vista at the Ard Rí will be multiples of that investment at the Castle.