Glencolmcille boost after green light Biddy's revamp and new tourist accommodation

Glencolmcille will be given a major boost with the a major makeover for Biddy’s Bar to coincide with the development of new tourist accommodation.

Mecl Ireland Ltd has been granted planning permission for the works.

Donegal County Council has given the green light to the separate developments in Cashel, Glencolmcille with a raft of conditions attached to each - many of which relate to flood prevention, traffic safety and orderly development.

Mecl Ireland Ltd sought for permission to demolish an exiting storage shed in order to facilitate the construction of a three-storey multipurpose building.

The proposed building will include an accommodation block, a multi-purpose room, transport hub, conference room with associated car parking and a bike area.

Among the conditions set down by the local authority is that the accommodation units shall be occupied for letting periods of less than 90 days and used solely by tourists or patrons as ‘holiday accommodation’ and shall not be used for the purposes of permanent living accommodation.

Donegal County Council has directed that plans for the installation of ground-mounted solar units must become a separate application.

The three-storey multipurpose building is on a site adjacent to Biddy’s Bar, with the iconic pub to be transformed.

Previous extensions are to be demolished and a new extension is planned to include an increased lounge area, a new kitchen and restaurant area.

An outdoor seated area is included in the renovation.

The company is planning to construct associated accommodation units to the rear of the property with parking and connection to all site services.

Biddy’s Bar - which was built over 200 years ago - was put on the market in 2019 with a €125,000 price tag. By 2021, the asking price had reduced to €95,000.

Michael Byrne is a director of Mecl Ireland Ltd and is the chairperson of the Naomh Columba GAA Club in Glencolmcille.