2 February 2000

MAJOR NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENT IN ARMAGH

"Tourism is now recognised as the biggest industry in the world and Northern Ireland has a first class product which could become our most important industry", Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, said today.

The Minister was in Armagh today, along with Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, to perform the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new £9.5 million, 80-bedroom hotel in Armagh, which is expected to provide 120 full and part-time jobs.

Speaking at the site, Sir Reg said: "We all want to see dramatic growth in tourism over the next few years. The last five years have brought over £86 million investment in new hotel developments across Northern Ireland and more are planned. Such enormous potential for the industry presents with it one of the most exciting challenges ever."

Commending the developers for their foresight and hard work, Sir Reg added: "The entrepreneurship of the developers must be encouraged throughout Northern Ireland. First class hotel facilities are the catalyst for developing our conference tourism industry and to those visitors who come to see our historic cities and towns, scenery and visitor attractions."

Congratulating the promoters, IFI Board member, Victor Haslett said:

"The Fund is very pleased to be able to support the development of this hotel project which will make a further contribution to the development of the tourist industry in Northern Ireland."

After the ceremony, the Minister attended a reception to mark the event at the offices of Armagh City and District Council which was hosted by the Mayor, Councillor Tom Canavan.

 

NOTE TO EDITORS

The hotel, which will have a three star rating, is situated on a 5.2 acre site overlooking Armagh Golf and Rugby Clubs and is due to be completed by the summer of 2001.

The developers involved are the Mooney Hotel Group and a local business consortia of Fisher Engineering, the K’Mac Group and Brian McCormick Potatoes Ltd. The project has received funding from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the International Fund for Ireland.