TWO of Co Donegal’s best-known hotels which were forced to close through a slump in business are to be re-developed as part of a €15m (£13.7) investment.
Up to 80 new jobs are to be created through the development of the Seaview Hotel and Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair in west Donegal which have been sold as part of the project.
Once hugely popular, the two hotels in Bunbeg closed a number of years ago as the Gweedore area’s popularity as a tourist destination declined. However, both sites are to be given a new lease of life through the development announced by investment company, Vesada Group yesterday.
The company has unveiled plans for a 28-bedroom hotel and luxury self-catering apartments as well as a bar and restaurant on the site of the Seaview Hotel.
Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair – which overlooks the iconic Bád Eddie boat – is to be re-developed as a leisure and activity complex along with a number of “own-key luxury self-catering apartments”. A bar and restaurant will also be developed on the site.
Vesada Group spokesman, Des Connolly said planning for the project has been ongoing for the last two years. It is now hoped to have the first phase of the Seaview development open by autumn next year with the first phase of the Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair development completed by autumn 2022.
Sinn Féin TD, Pearse Doherty, who lives in Gweedore, said the development would bring great benefits to the area.
Mr Doherty said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be asked by the company to announce today the fact that the Seaview hotel and Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair have been sold and now that comes with a package of a €15m investment into the regeneration of the two sites by a company called the Revitalisation of Bunbeg Ltd.”
The west Donegal politician said the opening of the Seaview next year and Ostan Ghaoth Dobhair was welcome news for the entire county.