Ireland: Completion of Center Parcs Longford Forest Holiday Resort
Irlands Premierminister Leo Varadkar T.D. (l.) und Center Parcs-CEO Martin Dalby freuen sich über die Fertigstellung des ersten Center Parcs-Ferienparks in Irland
Recently, Ireland’s prime minister Leo Varadkar T.D. and Martin Dalby, CEO of British Center Parcs Ltd. have officially marked the completion of the new Center Parcs Longford Forest holiday resort, which is the first Center Parcs park in Ireland and is located close to the Irish town of Ballymahon (cf. EAP 3/18). Following a construction period of almost two years, the 233-million Euro project has been delivered on schedule and within budget.
On a site of over 161 hectares (400 acres) in the woodlands, Center Parcs Longford Forest comprises 466 self-catering lodges and 30 apartments, divided into three categories (Woodland, Executive & Exclusive), prepared to welcome up to 2,500 guests at the same time. Over a hundred activities, both indoors and outdoors, invite families to enjoy their time together. The offer includes the “Subtropical Swimming Paradise” – a tropically-tempered indoor waterpark open all year round – and the “Aqua Sana” forest spa for wellness and health treatments.
“18 months after turning the sod here in Newcastle Wood, I’m really pleased to be back for the official opening of Ireland’s first Center Parcs. This huge tourism development has the potential to be a game changer fort he Midlands. It will bring unprecedented numbers of tourists to this beautiful part of the country […]. The Irish tourism industry has grown steadily in recent years and this addition to our tourism offering will ensure visitors get to experience a part of the country they may otherwise have missed […],” says Varadkar.
Martin Dalby adds: “Four years since we announced our plans to expand into Ireland, we all feel an enormous sense of pride and achievement to see the beautiful surroundings of Newcastle Wood transformed into Center Parcs Longford Forest and for Ireland’s families to finally have the opportunity to enjoy a unique forest resort experience […].”
The resort is expected to boost Ireland’s economy with 32-million Euro annually. As it now enters its operational phase, it provides some 1,000 permanent jobs. (eap)
