Supermac’s boss has another nibble in County Limerick property market

THERE was a lot of shock and surprise in the Castleconnell area when the Castle Oaks Leisure Centre closed at the beginning of March with the loss of jobs and its facilities.

It happened around the same time as the Supermac’s supremo officially got the keys to the Castle Oaks. However, while the leisure centre is located on the grounds of the hotel it was a separate entity and privately owned.

Fr Ger Fitzgerald, a Castlleconnell native, wrote to the Limerick Leader to express his disappointment at the leisure centre’s closure. He welcomed the news that Mr McDonagh purchased the Castle Oaks House Hotel and agreed with the Galway man’s words about the village being a “hidden gem with great potential”.

“Mr McDonagh also said that he wishes to tap into that potential. A very noble aspiration and one that I hope comes to fruition. However, the first step in this endeavour must surely be the immediate reopening of the Castle Oaks Country Club and gym which is on the hotel grounds. For many years this club has been a source of employment and social importance in the village.

“It has been utilised by locals, schools and by other outside groups for whom the facilities provide important social interaction and health benefits. It is, in my opinion, a very sad loss to the village and environs and a scandal that the building now stands unused. Can I call on Mr McDonagh to make good on his word and all other parties involved to immediately take whatever steps are necessary to resolve this matter for the benefit of this beautiful village,” wrote an impassioned Fr Fitzgerald.

The priest’s wish has been granted by Mr McDonagh. He confirmed to the Limerick Leader this week that he has agreed to buy the leisure centre which has a swimming pool.

“An agreement has been made to purchase the leisure centre in the Castle Oaks House Hotel subject to the legal process going through,” said Mr McDonagh.

It was bought for an undisclosed sum. He hopes to have it open again within six weeks. “It is crucial that you have a leisure centre,” said Mr McDonagh.

Like the hotel, he will be pumping money into the building on top of the purchase price.

“We plan to do a good bit of work on it to modernise it, refurbish it and re-equip it,” said Mr McDonagh. There is also plenty of scope to extend it in the future due to the ample space on the grounds. If hurling stars Tom and Dan Morrissey and the Munster players, who live in Castleconnell, turned up at the same time to flex their muscles extra space would be required!

The employees in the leisure centre are very popular and while some were made redundant when it closed, Mr McDonagh hopes to keep a number of the staff that were employed.

The Pat and Una McDonagh-owned SÓ Hotels Group’s purchased the Castle Oaks House Hotel on the banks of the Shannon for €3.5m. A further investment of €1.5m is planned.

There will be a significant investment over the next 12 months or so. Our objective is to bring it back to its former glory,” said Mr McDonagh.