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From Castlebar - County Mayo - Ken Wright Over 200 people turned up last week for the launch of the re-named Mulranny Park Hotel. Enda Kenny T.D. was guest speaker on the night and was full of praise for the hotel and its owners Tom Bohan & Tom Duggan. Highlighting the importance of quality tourism products, Deputy Kenny lauded the courage and commitment of Tom Bohan & Tom Duggan in investing in an upgraded hotel product to attract people to come and spend time and money in West Mayo.
The night was billed as a celebration of the renamed Mulranny Park Hotel, which has been re-opened for 5 years. The hotel has a long and interesting history. It started life back in the late 1800's as a resort to cater for the many tourists and travellers using the train to travel to resorts such as Mulranny & Achill. The hotel prospered for many years and boasts many famous guests including John Lennon and Yoko Ono who stayed at the hotel in the 1960's.
The hotel traded until 1990, and then lay derelict until it was purchased by the present owners in 2003. It is a listed building and sits on 42 acres of woodland. Much of the character and charm of the original building has been retained, with the most alluring historical features now merged with the trappings of contemporary comfort and style. Current efforts to market and promote the hotel are justifiably placing a firm emphasis on its stunning location and its ability to act as a gateway to the broad range of outdoor activities on offer within the local area.
Speaking on the night, Dermot Madigan, the hotel's General Manager, pointed out that: "The local area has much to offer and we hope to play a key part in facilitating access to all that is available. Our recently launched Activity Brochure is our attempt at harnessing the wonderful assets of the area and we expect to bring business to other small businesses in the area. We all need each other, and we have to work together to build our common tourism product. The recently opened Greenway is a superb addition to our local infrastructure and is an example of how an un-used asset can be re-imagined as a hub for activity - for families, walkers, cyclists and anyone with an interest in the outdoors. We'd like to acknowledge the work of Mayo County Council, South West Mayo Development Company, Failte Ireland, NRA and other community organisations who contribute in such meaningful ways to the re-awakening of our rural areas. Together we can build a critical mass of activities and attractions and in so doing help build a community that survives and prospers over the coming decades."
Those present on the night were assured that the Mulranny Park Hotel sees itself as an integral part of the local community. "We wish to nurture and develop our relationships with the community and we plan to contribute in a meaningful way to the future development of Mulranny and hope to play our part in making this area an attractive place to live. We will do what we can to contribute to a thriving community of attractions, activities and things to do and places to visit in the Mulranny area" said Mr Madigan.
Deputy Kenny began by reminiscing on happy times spent in the area as a young man. He spoke at length of the need for investment in and commitment to the tourism product, especially in County Mayo. "Tourism is our niche product. We have to work hard to provide a world-class experience, and provide a truly world-class welcome. Your challenge is to have people leave this part of the West of Ireland and tell their friends of the amazing time they had in the Mulranny Park Hotel. I'm confident you will succeed in doing this, and I commend you all - owners and staff - on your determination in these challenging times. I wish you well" he concluded.
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