New Westport country lodge hotel opens

New country hotel opens near Westport


Neill O’Neill

LOCATED on 36 acres of pristine parkland, Westport’s newest hotel and nine-hole golf course is officially open for business. The 21-bedroom Westport Country Lodge Hotel and Golf Course in Ballinvoy, Aughagower, is located just off the Westport to Ballinrobe road – about two kilometres from the town, and has been open for just over three weeks.
The vision of Westport native, Tom Casey, the hotel is situated in the tranquil surrounds of the rolling green hills which fringe the urban area of Ireland’s tidiest town and, while within easy reach of Westport town, the hotel remains far enough away to be a true haven for relaxation.
Though in its fledgling stages, the Westport Country Lodge Hotel and Golf Course is experiencing a steady flow of business so far, and with word about the bar food of Head Chef Jarlath Keane and his team quickly spreading, the Coach Gap Bar is particularly busy at weekends. The restaurant at the hotel will not open until the new year, but they are accepting bookings for Christmas parties in their function room at present, and the nine-hole golf course has been experiencing a steady flow of customers so far this month – with green fees fixed at €15 per round.
After many years in planning, the Westport Country Lodge Hotel and Golf Course was completed in September this year after 18 months under construction. It represents a multi-million euro investment in the local economy, and with a marketing campaign due to commence ahead of next summer, the hotel should prove a significant boost to employment in the Aughagower area.
“We will be doing a launch after Christmas but in the meantime we would like to invite everybody to call by and see what they think of Westport Country Lodge Hotel and Golf Course,” said General Manager Aiden Gallagher, a native of Louisburgh. “Our food and golf businesses are beginning to take off and we believe that our location and special blend of amenities and services offers a unique experience to people on the outskirts of Westport Town.”