Green light for extension at Shamrock Lodge Hotel

Extension and redevelopment works at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone, including an increase to the size of its function room and the addition of five en-suite bedrooms, have been given the go-ahead by Westmeath County Council.

The project will see the creation of a new single-storey entrance and extended bar area to the front of the long-established westside hotel.

The planning application for the redevelopment work was lodged in September, with further information on the plans submitted on behalf of the hotel last month.

In its decision on the planning bid last Thursday, March 19, the council granted permission subject to 10 conditions. At the time of writing, details of the planning conditions had not yet been published on the council's website.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent in September, Alan McCaul, general manager of the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, said the planned works would mark a further enhancement of the product offering and experience for guests.

He said the larger function room would allow the hotel to cater for up to 350 guests at round tables during weddings and other functions, and would also facilitate increased capacity for concerts.

"Occupancy levels are very high and there is demand," Mr McCaul said in relation to the hotel seeking an additional five bedrooms on the ground floor. "Athlone in general is flying accommodation-wise, for all the hotels."

The planned development is to include the demolition of an existing two-storey block to the rear of the hotel, which includes toilets, bar storage and offices at ground level, and derelict accommodation with ancillary storage at first-floor level.

An existing single-storey toilet block to the side of the existing hotel, adjoining the function room, is also set to be demolished, as is an escape stairwell to the rear of the hotel.

The planning application outlined planned extensions to the property, comprising a new single-storey entrance and extended bar area to the front of the hotel, and a new single-storey extension to the side, which will include the enlargement of the existing function room and provision of new toilets and ancillary storage.

According to the planning application, the materials intended for use in the development will be "a mixture of plaster and stone cladding" and the intention is for the new part of the building to have "a distinct but complementary look to the previous 2007 extension".

Permission was also sought for a new single-storey extension to the rear of the hotel, including a revised toilet layout, new stores, and the provision of the five additional en-suite bedrooms.

The new bedrooms are due to increase the total number of bedrooms at the Clonown Road hotel to 56.

In addition, the planning application sought approval for new external landscaping, terraces, and a revision to the hotel's existing services layout.