Hotel set to rise from the ashes

There is good news for tourism interests in the Portumna area with confirmation that the burned out hotel in the village has been sold – and could reopen for business as early as 2017.

The loss of the hotel in Portumna was a major body blow for the town but local businesses are buoyed by the fact that it will reopen within the next couple of years.

It is understood that there were six interested parties in acquiring the burned out shell of the hotel which has now been sold by the receivers of the property.

It is not known who has bought the old Shannon Oaks Hotel but it has been learned that it will be reopened as a hotel in 2017 or 2018.

The move has been welcomed by Portumna Chamber of Commerce who said that the loss of a hotel in the town was costing around €2.5 million in lost revenue.

Paul Dillon of Pallas Carting in Loughrea – he is also President of Portumna Chamber of Commerce – said that he was aware that there were six potential buyers of the property.

He said that he had been in discussion with the receivers who informed him that the property had been sold.

Mr. Dillon said that he was happy that it would be reopened as a hotel and there would be progress within the next month or six weeks.

He said that he was informed by the receivers that the ‘sale agreed’ sign had been erected and that it went to the top bidder.

“We need a hotel in Portumna and we are heartened that it has been sold to someone who intends to redevelop the property. It has been a major loss to the town.

“I am confident that there will be a new hotel on the site and that is welcome news for the town. The loss of a hotel has been a major stumbling block for Portumna over the past four years,” Mr. Dillon added.

Over the past year the Shannon Oaks Hotel Action Group (SOHAG) was formed in an effort to have the property sold and reopened. It now appears as if their ambitions have been achieved.

“It is with great relief to us and we are sure all of Portumna to know that the process is so near completion and that we can all start looking forward to a bigger brighter future for the town and all the area,” Mr. Dillon added.