Former hotel to reopen with creation of dozens of jobs

The property was purchased recently by the Comer Group and Snoozles, a hostel which operates on Forster Street in the city.

Plans have been lodged with Galway City Council for two extra bedrooms – bringing the total to 102 bedrooms – as well as a new lobby and reception area.

Snocom Ltd – which is headed by Barry Comer and Fred Fullard – has also sought permission for new signage, to remove an internal roundabout on the site and for a new terrace area.

Shane Healy, General Manager of Snoozles said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop a new hotel on one of the most prominent sites in Galway.

“The significant investment planned for the building will transform it into a sleek and contemporary budget hotel. This development and its ultimate opening and operation will create a number of full and part-time jobs for Galway City, which is hugely positive,” said Mr Healy.

The 1.8 acre site was bought by the Barry family – who own the neighbouring Motorpark car dealerships – in 2007 for a figure believed to be in the region of €10 million.

The property first opened as a Holiday Inn Express in 1996, and was rebranded an Ibis hotel two years later. In 2008 it became Lisbrook House, a direct provision asylum seeker hostel, before closing its doors in 2012.