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GAA Hotel Plan Approved

The GAA has secured approval for the development of a new 200-bed hotel near Croke Park which is expected to be operated by leading hotel group, Dalata under its Maldron gaahotel brand.

An Bord Pleanála has rejected an appeal against the decision of Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for the development of a seven-storey hotel on part of the grounds of Clonliffe College which the GAA acquired from the Archdiocese of Dublin for an estimated €95 million.

The GAA also plans to develop a clubhouse and two pitches on the site which is currently used as a large car park for match days and concerts in Croke Park.

The new hotel is part of a major development planned for the former lands at Clonliffe College, with international real estate investment firm, Hines acquiring the remainder for a large-scale housing project comprising of 1,650 mostly build-to-rent apartments as well as a crèche and dog park which is scheduled for completion by 2026.

ousing.

Four pub sales total €5.6m

Four Dublin pubs changed hands in the first three months of the year according to John Ryan of agents Bagnall Doyle MacMahon who estimates that they generated a combined cabrahiouse

€5.6m.

In comparison, there were 12 pubs sold in 2020 with a capital value of close to €46m many of which were for alternative use and new development purposes.

Top of this year’s four sales was The 108 Rathgar in Rathgar village, Dublin 6, for which Lisney Morrissey’s had been quoting €2.2m. This 4,532 sq ft investment property was generating €147,744 in annual rent. Its ground floor and basement licensed premises was leased to a Pizza Eile Limited which operates under the Galway Bay Brewing Brand. Almost half the rent was generated from four upstairs apartments.

Another investor is believed to have purchased The Magpie Inn in Dalkey which had a €1.65m guide price. Located on a corner site, the 4,537 sq ft pub and restaurant came with a first floor function room as well as a duplex own door apartment. The agent was Burke Kennedy.

Carol to head Dalata finance

Dalata has appointed Carol Phelan as group chief financial officer effective from July. carolphelan

This follows an announcement from Ireland’s largest hotel operator that Dermot Crowley, deputy CEO - Business Development & Finance – is to succeed Pat McCann in the top role at the company.

Ms Phelan joined the business in 2014 and was appointed as group head of financial reporting, treasury and tax in 2017.

During her time with the group, Ms Phelan has played a major role within the finance team, with responsibility for the development of the financial reporting function during a period of rapid growth and expansion, according to a statement from the company.

Gardai object to Berlin Bar licence

Gardaí have objected to the renewal of the licence of the Berlin Bar in Dublin. berlinbar

The bar hit the headlines when a video clip was shared on social media of a masked staff member standing on the bar as he poured shots into dancing customers’ mouths during the controversial bar brunch event which ran from 1pm to 4pm on August 15 last.

The event, which featured a DJ set, was advertised as “A Very Boozy Baked Brunch With Your Buds”, and customers were supposed to stay no

more than one hour and 45 minutes in accordance with public health guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The bar’s then manager, businessman Jay Bourke, described it as “30 seconds of madness” when he commented to the media.

Agents seek Passport action

The Irish Travel Agents Association is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs to reopen the Passport Office to process outstanding passport applications in order to avoid a passports backlog of applications when international travel resumes. The Passport Office paused much of its operations late last December.

The ITAA believe that this service is essential and that clearing the backlog now will allow for faster economic recovery in terms of restarting inbound and outbound tourism.

The Association are calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs to reopen the Passport Office with immediate effect, in order to facilitate a smooth return to travel when it is safe to do so.