Work starts on Glasson hotel extension

One of very few investment projects taking place in the golf and hospitality industries at present, work has just begun on the development at family-run Glasson Hotel & Golf Club overlooking Lough Ree, near the pretty village of Glasson. The project, which began last week, is scheduled for completion in early 2010. The works will extend the existing and much-loved period house, with the new extension designed to make the most of the stunning views out over the golf course and the inner lakes of Lough Ree, close to Athlone. Situated just outside the quaint village of Glasson (Goldsmith's "village of the roses") this luxury hotel with 65 spacious bedrooms including standard rooms, deluxe rooms and suites is a property owned and managed by Tom and Breda Reid and their family, and which is home to one of Ireland's most scenic and challenging golf courses. The Reids opened a 29 bedroom hotel with conference facilities in 2000, and upgraded the property with an additional 36 bedrooms, including a number of suites and deluxe lakeview rooms, in 2006. The new building at Glasson Hotel & Golf Club will have a spacious banqueting suite with feature circular staircase, increasing capacity for up to 250 guests, capitalising on its picturesque setting and ensuring that it is even more popular and in demand as a wedding venue and as a destination for conferences. The new M6 motorway means it is now possible to get to Glasson from the M50/M4 Junction in just over an hour and to Glasson from Dublin Airport in less than 1.5 hours. The new building will also house state of the art kitchen facilities and a sleek and stylish circular bar. This exciting new development at Glasson will be completed in time for spring.