Council rules out purchase of holiday village amid calls for tourism accommodation in North Leitrim

Leitrim County Council has confirmed it has no plans to purchase the former Breffni Holiday Village complex in Dromahair, despite calls from residents who are seeking additional tourist accommodation in the village.

The complex is situated on approximately 4.7 hectares and returned to the market in December following a cancelled sale.

At April’s meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, Cllr Eddie Mitchell asked councillors to support a proposal for the Council to purchase the complex.

His motion stated, “If taken into Council or State ownership this site could provide a valuable cultural centre for North Leitrim. The site located along the river Bonnet and known as the Lodge comprises a substantial three-storey former hotel premises, some houses, chalets and a former restaurant close to the former Garda Barracks now in community control. It could be a gamechanger for the Dromahair Village.”

Cllr Mitchell told the meeting that he had received phone calls from people in Dromahair inquiring about the future of the holiday village complex.

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Cllr Mary Bohan commented that one of the biggest issues people in Dromahair have been talking about over the last few years is tourist accommodation.

“Dromahair is a fabulous village and with the hotel gone, there’s very little accommodation. There’s a serious lack of tourist accommodation in all of North Leitrim. I would hope that whatever happens, it would be accommodation that would bring people into the village,” she said.

A Council response confirmed that it has no intention of acquiring the Breffni Holiday Village.

“Any proposal to develop a cultural centre at this or any other location within the county would require a comprehensive appraisal, including a clearly defined role and function, an assessment of demonstrated need, consideration of existing or competing facilities, and a robust analysis of the long-term operational requirements.

“This would include ongoing financial commitments associated with maintenance, staffing, governance, and programme delivery,” the response explained.

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It further noted that the Council would welcome its reactivation in a tourism capacity if that were to happen.

“In this context, it is considered preferable that the property be acquired by a private entity capable of restoring and operating the complex in line with its original purpose as a tourism facility, thereby contributing to the local economy and the vitality of the area,” the response concluded.