BUILDING WORK will being in January 2014 on a €1.4 million extension to Enniscorthy’s Riverside Park Hotel.

The extension will add 20 bedrooms to the 58 it already has and also allow for the construction of a second function and conference room. The extension will slot in behind the current hotel structure on the MillPark road side, in front of the listed mill building.

The hotel has been phenomenally successful in the Wedding Market and Colm Neville, Director of the Hotel, said that this extension would allow them to continue in this area but also target other private functions with the second function room.

Planning for the development had been granted in 2008 but Mr. Neville said that he had been waiting for the right indicators to give the project the go-ahead: “I do feel that there are green shoots showing. The country’s improving employment figures are key. Dublin hotels have turned a corner over the past two years and currently, construction costs are low.

“The decision was made in anticipation of a turn-around. It is going to happen; it’s just a case of when. I’m very optimistic and positive about our team in the Riverside Park Hotel and I think if anywhere can be successful when that happens we can.”

The construction, which will be carried out by the Neville family building business, is expected to begin on January 1 and take six months, finishing in time for the summer high season: “It will be, as much as possible, built with a local workforce and local sub-contractors, bringing much needed employment to Enniscorthy.

“It’s a good news story, there are some of those around but unfortunately they’re few and far between at the moment but I’m very optimistic and looking forward to getting started. Hopefully, there will be more good news for the county in the future.”