THE Carlton Group, the new operators at the Castletroy Park Hotel, have already pulled off a major coup.
For the first time in the 50-year history of the International Rose of Tralee, the contestants will meet with their escorts in Limerick, and from there travel on to Tralee for the finals.
Michael Kearney, chairman of the Carlton Hotel Group, told the Limerick Post in an exclusive interview, that arrangements were already in place for the meeting of the Roses and their escorts at their new Limerick venture. “Last year, we hosted the event in our Kinsale hotel…we are delighted to have it now take place in Limerick”.
Shortly after he signed the dotted line with the hotel owners, Michael Kearney met up with his brother Noel, owner of Singland Motors, just a stone throw away, and outlined plans for the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel.
“This was the fastest deal we ever concluded. Negotiations for a long-term lease agreement with Michael Daly of Fordmount, were conducted with speed, and the deal for us to operate the hotel was done and dusted by Friday morning. We are delighted to add it to our portfolio of hotels -this is one of the finest four-star properties in Ireland”. Galway-born Michael, who is nephew of prominent Limerick developer Paddy Hoare, the man responsible for the Castletroy Shopping Centre and Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, said they were aware of the distress caused by the closure of the hotel a week earlier to those who had booked weddings and events, and promised the new owners would be in touch with them to confirmed booking details.
All deposits are to be honoured, as well as Leisure Club membership.
When asked if this was the right time to expand their operation in view of the economic downturn, Mr Kearney responded: “Forget all this negativity…let’s be positive. Limerick is a good location for us”.
The Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel will employ 120 people, and interviews commenced last Monday. The hotel will reopen in a matter of days.
The Carlton group are already represented in Kinsale, Wexford, Mayo, Donegal, Kildare and Dublin Airport.
