Clifden Station House profits fall: ‘It’s fair to say Golfgate did not bring any joy to us’

A director of the firm that operates the Clifden Station House Hotel in Connemara has said that the hotel has not tried to utilise or gain advantage from the name recognition it gained from the Golfgate saga in 2020.

Frank Ford made his remark when commenting on the new accounts, showing that hotel operator Western Railway Operations Ltd recorded post-tax profits of €437,972 in the 12 months to the end of May last.

The post-tax profits for 2023 were 43pc down on the €763,404 figure recorded the prior year.

The hotel was the location of the Golfgate controversy in August 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic. It resulted in three politicians – Phil Hogan, Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer – resigning from their jobs.

Two directors of the firm, hotel owner John Sweeney and his son James Sweeney, were among the four defendants in a prosecution concerning the staging of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner. A judge in 2022 dismissed all charges against the four.

Asked if the controversy had brought about a dividend for the hotel, through enhanced name recognition, Mr Forde replied: “While the hotel and the company directors were proven to have acted in accordance with guidance and the law in place, it is fair to say that Golfgate did not bring any joy to us.

“The hotel gained name recognition from the publicity – but it is not something we tried to utilise or gain advantage from.”

Asked if guests ever refer to the saga, Mr Forde said: “Golfgate occasionally arises in conversation, but I think people are not judgmental on the issue.

“It was a very difficult time for everyone in Ireland and beyond – and there is a recognition that many things would be done differently should we find ourselves there again.”

On last year’s financial performance of the hotel, Mr Ford said: “We are happy with the performance in the past year, but we feel it is less as a result of the pandemic bounce and more to do with the return of normalised conditions in the market.

“The business continues to trade well in what can be a difficult and at times unpredictable market. We have a loyal customer base and the property forms an important part of the local economy.

“Bookings are generally good for the season ahead, and we are forecasting a 6pc increase in room rates for the financial year with broadly similar occupancy. However, rising costs will continue to be a challenge.”