Could Ballymahon welcome a second holiday resort?

Ballymahon could become home to another major holiday park, should a new project get off the ground.

A Facebook page entitled Newcastle House Holiday Park announced the news online in recent days, saying they will be submitting a planning application for a “family-friendly resort” for “economical” family holidays in July. A map was also featured on the new social media page showing the layout of what appears to be a very substantial plan for the hotel site.

It comes hot on the heels of news last week of an €85 million expansion proposed by Center Parcs, which is located very close to Newcastle House, consisting of 200 new lodges and treehouses in Newcastle Wood.

“We are very excited about the plans for Newcastle House,” a spokesperson said when contacted by the Westmeath Independent on proposals for a second holiday park locally on Friday. “What's planned is a cost-effective family holiday resort and further details will be revealed when the application is lodged in July.”

Letters have been sent to nearby residents inviting them to view the plans to date and give their opinions prior to the application being formally lodged with Longford County Council.

The new holiday resort in Newcastle House aims to welcome their first visitors in 2022, the Facebook post added.

Standing on 44 acres of mature parkland, Newcastle House is a 300-year-old manor house on the banks of the River Inny, which has operated as a hotel and wedding venue in recent years.