Offaly hotel under new ownership
Colin Breen, an Irish-American publican from Tampa, Florida, has announced that he and a small group of Irish and American investors have purchased Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
Breen, whose thatched-roof Irish pubs, Four Green Fields, are widely known in the USA as authentic Irish music, sports and social venues, intends to bring the same back to Kinnitty Castle Hotel.
In addition to having exclusive US federal trademarks for the distinctive thatched-roof design, the pub has, over the years, showcased the likes of everyone from Tommy Makem, Paddy Reilly, The Wolfe Tones, Sinead O’Connor and The Furey Brothers to young, up-and-coming Irish groups. With the assistance of partner Derek Warfield, a member of the original Wolfe Tones, this tradition will extend to the venues on the castle grounds.
The ownership’s goal is to focus on the history and heritage that is Kinnitty Castle and to create year-round activities that once again will bring liveliness and pride to this important venue.
Work has already begun on upgrading the entire facility, including long-ignored parts of the castle ground, opening of the Dungeon Bar for food and entertainment each day of the year, landscaping and renovation of outlying buildings.
The new owners said: 'We are excited to be a part of Kinnitty and the Midlands community and invite everyone to stop by Kinnitty Castle Hotel and explore these various undertakings at their leisure.'