HOTEL WILL TRANSFORM NEW ROSS QUAY FRONT
Boost for local economy with 30 new jobs
THIRTY people are being employed at a new hotel which is opening its doors in New Ross in early December.
The Kennedy Boutique Hotel will transform the quay front of the town, adding around 90 beds to the area’s accommodation offering, between the hotel and its suites located nearby on North Quay.
Owned by businessman Willie O’Leary from Ramsgrange, the hotel is using the Kennedy name to attract American and Irish visitors in numbers to the town.
Marketing Manager Emma Ellis said the hotel will open in early December. Work started on the old Riverview Hotel on August 8. A balcony is presently being built at the front of the hotel and the entrance will be at the side on Lady Lane.
The 16 bedroom hotel includes a penthouse with views over the River Barrow. It features a steakhouse called Yanks, Lady Lane Lounge bar featuring music and expertly made cocktails, a cafe and tapas wine bar and has a function room where carvery food will be served.
Ms Ellis said there has been a lot of interest in the hotel, adding that work is ongoing at pace to get it ready for the opening.
‘We are putting in two balconies; one at the front of the hotel and another to the rear. The front balcony is accessed from Yanks restaurant and will look out over the water. It gives New Ross a totally different streetscape as there are not so many premises using the water as a selling point - (apart from the Dunbrody Visitor Centre) - which is a shame.’
Ms Ellis said 30 people will be employed in full and part time capacities. ‘We have very local staff.’
She said: ‘We know the amount of Americans who come to New Ross to see the famine ship and the Kennedy Homestead so we are expecting many through our doors.’
She said the luxurious feel to the hotel will appeal to domestic and foreign customers, adding that the carvery should prove a hit with local residents.
The Marshal Suite on the first floor is the function room which can cater for parties of up to 70 people. Carvery food will be served here, as well as in the cafe. Named after The Greatest Knight William Marshal, who founded New Ross, the function room draws on the Norman Way theme.
There will be easy listening music in Lady Lane Lounge, with a two to three piece band playing on certain evenings.
Ms Ellis said the hotel will deliver luxury and advertisements are being placed locally and internationally to attract customers in through its doors.