The chief executive of the company that runs the Clifden Station House hotel in Connemara said some guests still remember the Golfgate scandal but viewed it as “more of a curiosity than anything serious”.
Frank Ford made the comments on Wednesday after new figures showed Western Railway Operations Ltd recorded a 54 per cent rise in post-tax profits to €676,006 for the 12 months to the end of May, while revenue rose more than 10 per cent.
The profit for the 2024 financial year followed a profit after tax of €437,972 in the previous year.
In August 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic, the hotel was hit by the Golfgate scandal, which resulted in two high-profile people, Phil Hogan and Dara Callery, resigning from their leadership positions.
When asked if some Golfgate guests still mention it, Mr Ford replied: “Yes, some still do, but fortunately people have stopped blaming each other and it's more of a curiosity thing than anything else.”
“It has been confirmed that the hotel has been operating in accordance with all regulations and laws and there is currently no negative impact on our business.”
Two company directors, hotelier John Sweeney and his son James Sweeney, were among four defendants in a criminal case over the organisation of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on 19 August 2020.
All charges of violating COVID-19 restrictions against the four were dropped by a judge in February 2022.
The hotel has just completed a €2.5 million renovation, with the complete renovation of the public spaces on the ground floor completed two weeks ago.
Mr Ford said: “The last refurbishment was 28 years ago and the next generation of the family, led by James Sweeney as general manager, have sought to improve the hotel's standards.”
He added: “We have increased the restaurant area and significantly improved the entrance, reception, bar and lounge area, using space previously allocated to conference and banqueting rooms.”
“It was a significant investment of just over €2.5 million, but given the life cycle of the building we believe it was a wise investment.”
The hotel's staff numbers increased from 49 to 53 last year. Speaking about the business outlook for the current year, Mr Ford said: “We are pleased with the business in our reports but are mindful of the international uncertainty that may impact on the situation later this season and possibly for the next few years.”
Ireland Golfgate: Charges against all four defendants dropped… Read more
“Our domestic, UK and European revenues remain strong and the continued success of the Wild Atlantic Way marketing campaign is a significant boost for Clifden Station House and, we hope, other regional properties.
Answering the question about the reasons for the growth in profits,
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
