News
Jobs saved after buy-out of top golf course in the West
Up to 24 jobs have been secured at one of the top golf courses in the West after it was bought-out last week by its operating manager, taking the facility out of the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA).
The Galway Bay Golf Resort in Rinville, Oranmore, has been bought from Ballymore Properties by Galway businessman by Ronan Killeen following negotiations which are believed to have begun up to 18 months ago.
Mr Killeen has been operations manager of the facility for the past three years on behalf of Ballymore Properties, and secured a deal in the past week to buy the property from the Dublin-based development company which is owned by Sean Mulryan. Ballymore Properties has a number of portfolios in NAMA, including Galway Bay Golf Resort, but it is now ‘out of Nama’ and under the sole ownership of Mr Killeen.
An information meeting was held at the club last Thursday evening, where confirmation of the deal was given to members. The deal ensures the employment of up to 24 staff members during the peak season, and is believed to have been warmly received by the membership of the club – the club has around 250 adult members, and a thriving junior section of more than 50 members.
Mr Killeen was unavailable for comment yesterday, but speaking to the Sentinel, the resort’s General Manager, Martin Daly, said the deal is “hugely positive” for the club.
“This is a hugely positive step for the resort as it not just guarantees the future of 24 jobs but will create even more construction jobs and indeed more jobs within the resort once the new clubhouse is operationally functioning.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.