Individual Post

Mick Boyle of Jaramas Investments NI said “It has taken a bit longer than we would have liked to get our proposed development to this stage but we are excited to finally be getting this project underway. Our aim now is to make Killeavy Castle, Hotel, Spa and Wellness Centre one of Ireland’s must visit destinations.

 

The Ring of Gullion countryside is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the setting of Killeavy Castle within it is no less than breathtaking. We are certain it will become the jewel of South Armagh and be a special destination for people from all over the world.”

 

Jaramas Investments NI is owned by Mick Boyle and his wife Robin. Mick immigrated to Australia as a child in the late 1960s with his parents, Michael and Pauline Boyle who both come from South Armagh. Mick and Robin, who also established and own the successful Australian construction company Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure are regular visitors to the area. Mick Boyle said “We have a lot of family and friends living around Newry, we love the area and its people. We are sure that tourists from all over the world will too.”

 

Mick Boyle went on to say “With our connection to the area and its people we want Killeavy Castle, Hotel, Spa and Wellness Centre to be good for the local economy. There will obviously be jobs created during the construction phase, but we think more importantly, when it is operational in two years time it will generate around 90 full time jobs for the local community”.

 

It has already created local jobs as the design team has been led by Newry based architects O’Hagan and Associates. “Being a local company Pat O’Hagan and his team have a deep appreciation of the heritage and natural beauty of the site and that is reflected in the design they have created. The Hotel, Spa and Wellness Centre cleverly incorporates parts of the historic farm buildings and it has been designed not to detract from the elegance of the nearby historic Killeavy Castle. The whole development will blend sympathetically into the magnificent woodlands of the estate”. Mick Boyle said.

 

The project is being supported by a grant from Invest NI and this announcement is being made as a result of that grant support being confirmed in writing last Friday afternoon. “Due to the historic building restorations and the size of the estate the grant support from Invest NI and the support of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to upgrade Ballintemple Road and lease public access to parts of the estate have been critical to this projects viability. Without that support, the project would not have gone ahead. The fact that it is going ahead demonstrates that the Northern Ireland Government and the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council share our view of the potential for tourism development in South Armagh.” Mick Boyle said.

 

Local people have been openly walking through the estate in recent years. Access will soon be restricted for safety reasons during the construction phase of the project. Once the project is complete, as agreed with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, public access will be made available along the driveway and a public path will be provided along the southern boundary of the estate. Public access will also be provided to the walled garden. Jaramas Investments NI Ltd request the public to respect the “keep out” signs and fences installed at the site once they are erected.

 

For further information on this press release please contact Mark Donohoe at the Killeavy Castle, Hotel, Spa and Wellness Centre project office on 028 3084 9076