Tourism chiefs in the west have welcomed Roscommon County Council's decision to grant planning permission for a €100 million "eco-tourism" development, comprising a 100-bedroom luxury hotel and 105 holiday cottages adjacent to Lough Key Forest Park.
The project is likely to generate 500 jobs during construction.
Further information has been sought by the council in relation to proposals for an 18-hole golf course and some 200 additional holiday homes on the 275-acre site close to Boyle. Brian Quinn, acting chief executive of Ireland West Tourism, said, with much of the tourism investment in the west based in urban centres like Galway, this development by the Newfound Consortium from Canada was a huge boost to the area.
Work is also due to start this month on an €8 million joint Coillte/Roscommon County Council adventure/leisure facility within the forest park.
"These two developments will complement each other," said Mr Quinn.
