Twenty-four bedroom hotel envisaged for former hotel site in Roscrea

A 24 bedroom hotel located at the former Grant's Hotel in Roscrea is a possibility according to a local Councillor in the town.

Roscrea based Fianna Fáil Councillor, Michael Smith, said in a statement this week that the government are currently examining the former hotel premises on Castle Street, formerly the famous Pathé Hotel and in later years rebranded as the Damer Court.

Cllr. Smith told this newspaper that a sum of €150,000 has been provided by the Government for a feasibility and structural report on the former Grants Hotel, formerly a 24-bedroom business which has been vacant since it was shut down with the loss of 20 jobs in 2013.

“This initiative will provide a 24 ensuite bedroom hotel, not just for visitors but will be a community led enterprise providing a creche, meals on wheels, community hub among others”, Cllr. Smith said.

“We can always achieve more when we work together and are empowered to unleash the strength and vitality of the people”, councillor Smith continued in his statement.

“The role that tourism can play in our economy and in creating jobs has always been underestimated in our area. The Templemore and Roscrea area should be combined for this purpose and promoted as an attractive and worthwhile destination for visitors both nationally and internationally.

“Investments in walkways to Monaincha Abbey and Mount St Joseph’s as well as cycle ways ensuring that outdoor pursuits are available to promote a healthier society. Damer House, John’s Castle, the Round Tower, and the Black Mills should all form part of a dynamic cultural centre. Templemore, with its Town Park, walkways through Barnane, the cottage in Loughmore, the community café and shop in Moyne and the bogs in Templetuohy stretching back to Derrymore, are all strengths to be explored”, he said.

Ahead of the local elections on Friday, in which Cllr. Smith will fight to retain his seat against seven other determined candidates, he singled out housing:

“More public housing is required and incentives to help young people to have their own homes.

“Keeping our elderly and others with mobility difficulties in their own homes is essential. The adaptation schemes and services of this nature should be continued and extended.

“One investment that many people in the rural areas benefit from is the roadways and they’re entitled to a decent chance to be able to travel to and from their homes.

“Some of the roadways are extremely narrow and need upgrading and safety measures to enable traffic to traverse freely.

“There are plenty of parcels of unused and sometimes derelict lands in all our towns. Small allotments should be given to interested people to establish gardens of home-made produce.

“These will not just be profitable exercises for the individual concerned but will also be educational outlets and healthy hives of activity”, Cllr. Smith said.

“It’s high time now for us to light a candle of hope everywhere we can instead of cursing the darkness.

“There is a lot we can do if we plan and work together and with investment from the Government and our ingenuity we can bring more vitality to our local communities and economy,” Cllr Smith said.

COMMUNITY HOTEL

During one of the most tumultuous periods in the modern history of Roscrea surrounding the ten-week long protests at the former Racket Hall Hotel, the suggestion to resurrect the long closed Grant's Hotel on Castle Street was first put forward by Cllr. Smith and Deputy Jackie Cahill.

Building upon a reference to the need for such a resource in the Town First Plan for Roscrea, Councillor Smith and party colleague, Tipperary TD Deputy Jackie Cahill, spoke with Minister Roderic O'Gorman in January.
Following the meeting, Minister O’Gorman agreed to discuss Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith’s proposal with the leadership of the three parties of Government.

Councillor Smith visited a hotel in County Monaghan which is cited as an example of how the community model could operate in Roscrea.