Skibbereen hotel expansion nearing completion

AN ambitious redevelopment at Skibbereen’s West Cork Hotel – geared at attracting Wild Atlantic Way tourism and conference events – is almost complete.

Established in 1902, the hotel is nestled in the heart of the town and it has been welcoming visitors and locals alike for over 114 years. This year has signalled another important milestone, with the addition of 20 new bedrooms, increasing the total offering to 52.

Beginning in late March, the project has progressed incredibly quickly, with some of the new rooms open and work due to be completed in the coming weeks.

‘We felt that the time was right to add additional bedrooms as it will allow us to attract new business to the hotel and Skibbereen,’ said Tim Looney, who owns the hotel, along with his wife Marion. 

‘We are targeting conferences and events in the off-season and with the popularity of the Wild Atlantic Way, we believe our additional accommodation will make a significant contribution to the business. As a family, we are very proud of the hotel and we have a great support locally for which we are enormously thankful. We have ambitious plans to develop the hotel and we want to make it the best in West Cork.’ 

Josephine O’Driscoll, the Wild Atlantic Way manager for Fáilte Ireland, paid tribute to the Looneys’ effort.

‘This is a very substantial investment,’ she said. ‘The hotel and hospitality sector has gone through a very difficult few years so any investment in our sector is very welcome and shows confidence is returning to the industry. 

‘The addition of 20 rooms is very significant as very few new rooms will be built outside major urban areas in the foreseeable future.  We in Fáilte Ireland see this as an endorsement of confidence for the sector in West Cork and for the Wild Atlantic Way and it will be a great addition to the area.’