KINSALE-based hotelier Ciaran Fitzgerald says the future of his hotel portfolio is stable despite the appointment of a provisional liquidator in the High Court.

He confirmed that the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale and Schull Harbour Hotel will continue to operate as normal, with no loss of employment and they are currently preparing for the season ahead.

Mr Fitzgerald took a High Court action regarding two companies which had provided management to the two hotels in the past.

The High Court granted his application for the appointment of a provisional liquidator to Larmona Limited and Cross Blue Holdings Ltd. 

While those entities had previously managed hotel operations, they did not own the hotel properties or the related assets, and they are no longer trading.

Mr Fitzgerald, whose portfolio includes The Old Bank Townhouse, confirmed that he has completed the €10m plus buyout of the three hotels together with a commercial and residential portfolio in the Cork region.

He told The Southern Star it’s business as usual and that his action in the High Court was an orderly tidying up of legacy companies.

He believes that the appointment of a provisional liquidator Kroll was a ‘positive step forward’ and brings an end to a difficult period where he was involved in a protracted dispute with another shareholder in the business.

He said he hoped this will allow the companies affairs to be concluded appropriately and enable the legacy companies to discharge their debts in an orderly fashion under the supervision of the liquidator.

‘I’m a hotelier first and foremost, I care deeply about these businesses and can confirm that through the buyout we have secured a strong and stable foundation for the future of these hotels and the people they employ,’ he said.

‘We have an exceptional team in place of over 120 people in Kinsale and West Cork and we are committed to enhancing further our guest experience and offering over the coming years.’

He added that he has been very grateful for the incredible support shown in the past week and he is determined to make sure things are done properly after several significant challenges in recent years.

Meanwhile, Ciaran confirmed that the hotel has returned to its original roots with a new logo and branding for the hotel which has been part of Kinsale since 1907.

‘It’s a nod to our history as a lodging house welcoming guests through our doors for over a century. This isn’t just a new logo, it’s a return to our roots. There have been some fascinating stories uncovered over the life of the Blue Haven which we want to being to life now as part of the new branding.’