Shock at closure of Dalton Inn Hotel

Shock at closure of Dalton Inn Hotel in Claremorris


Michael Commins

THE sudden closure of the Dalton Inn Hotel in Claremorris last week was greeted with shock and dismay around the town and hinterland. News that the business had gone into liquidation came as a huge surprise to the people of the region. It is understood that a creditors meeting will be held in Sligo on March 11.
Staff were informed on Tuesday evening about an important meeting on Wednesday morning where news of the decision was made known to them. Notices were placed on windows of the hotel informing the public that it would remain closed for a period of time. In the region of 30 people are out of work in the aftermath of the closure, dealing a major financial and psychological blow to the town.
For around 30 years the Dalton Inn has been a central player in the community life of Claremorris. It was developed and opened by local couple Tommy and Kathleen Higgins who operated the venture successfully for many years. Later, they sold it to the Gallagher brothers, Sean and Donal, who hail from Dundalk. They too enjoyed an excellent run at the popular hotel.
Three years ago, they sold it to the current owners, Northcon Hospitality, whose two main directors are from Castlerea and Enniskillen.
For 15 years, Phil Waldron was the well known and popular manageress at the hotel. She resigned from that position three years ago but continued to work as a part-time receptionist.
Centrally located at the heart of the town, the Dalton Inn has been one of the great meeting places in Claremorris for the past three decades. It also has 17 bedrooms as well as an acclaimed restaurant and a newly revamped night club.
Many well known people have dropped in to the hotel over the years. President Mary Robinson was the guest of honour at a special night in the hotel during her term of office. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also visited the hotel as did former SDLP leader and MEP, John Hume from Derry.
There was much speculation at the weekend that the hotel, which has always enjoyed good support from the people of the area, still has a good future and that it is likely to reopen in the coming months. However, no developments can be expected until after the creditors meeting in Sligo.