Historic Eldon Hotel is sold to local family

THE historic Eldon Hotel on Bridge Street in Skibbereen has been sold to a local family.

The hotel, which has been closed for some months, is thought to have made in the region of €600,000 for the vendors – close to the asking price.

Until recently, it was home to a popular pizza eaterie, but has a colourful past, including a place in history as the rumoured location for the last meal of the slain patriot Michael Collins.

Following its sale this week, the hotel may be reopened in time for Christmas, with plans to reinstate the bedrooms and reception rooms to their former glory.

The 12,500 sq ft building includes a reception, lounge bar, restaurant, 19 ensuite bedrooms, a commercial kitchen and outdoor dining areas.

The new owners intend to return the iconic hotel to its former glory. 

‘This is great news for the town, which is going through something of an upsurge,’ said local auctioneer Charlie McCarthy, who pointed to the sale or lease of a number of other strategic buildings in the town, in recent weeks.

He added that an announcement will be made shortly regarding the sale of a stunning property in nearby Glandore to a prominent UK politician with local connections, through his wife. A second well-known property in the village may be nearing sale completion.