Ideas on Roscrea hotel's future sought by local authority

Roscrea's Castle Street hotel, which closed 11 years ago, is the subject of a study to examine if the business could return to hospitality and tourism, or could be used for another purpose should it be rejuvenated and the doors reopened. 

Tipperary County Council have invited submissions from the public via an online portal and are also holding a consultation session in the heritage town to meet the public and hear their ideas of what the potential future of the former hotel building could be.

"As we reach an important point in mapping out a potential vision for the regeneration of the landmark building known as Grant's Hotel on Castle Street in Roscrea, we are looking for feedback from the community of Roscrea on the potential uses for this site with a view to enhancing the attractiveness of Roscrea as a town to love, work, visit and do business", the local authority said on the new portal which opened yesterday.

"We want the community to meet the team involved and give your feedback on creating a new plan for the site.

"The team will be available  to meet you in the Black Mills in Roscrea on Thursday 27th February between 13:30 and 17:30 and look forward to meeting as many people as possible on the day. We look forward to hearing from you". 

If you are not able to make it on the day you can still have your say by emailing tcf@tipperarycoco.ie and use the subject line 'Roscrea Feasibility Study. 

A decision on if the former Grant's Hotel on Castle Street in Roscrea is viable to be rejuvenated and operated under a unique 'community hotel' model is expected this month.

The 24 bedroom Grant's Hotel, which was once the Pathé Hotel and later rebranded as the Damer Court Hotel, closed 11 years ago after playing a central role in the lives of generations of people from Roscrea and beyond.

The government made €150,000 available for a study into whether the disused hotel has potential as a community operated business and the results of that study are expected this month.

A commitment was made in principle to purchase the former Grant's Hotel following protests around the conversion of the town's only functioning hotel into accommodation for international protection applicants.

After the closure of the Racket Hall Hotel in January of last year, the closed hotel in the centre of the town was thrust into the national spotlight after local Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Smith, and now retired TD Jackie Cahill, proposed the government purchase the building and return it to work as a hospitality business - but under a unique community based model similar to a successful enterprise currently operating in county Monaghan.

The decision to spend €150,000 on a feasibility study to investigate the potential to rejuvenate a long closed hotel was described as 'stupid' and a 'waste of taxpayers money' by Tipperary Labour TD Alan Kelly and also criticised by Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry.

However, Cllr Smith said the idea could "rejuvenate Castle Street" and "bring the community together in a very positive way".