Former hotel site in Tipperary will be demolished before its redevelopment

The news that contracts have been signed by the vendor and the purchaser for the sale of the former Clonmel Arms Hotel, and the sight of contractors moving on site last week to meet the safety requirements has been widely welcomed.

The site has been cordoned off and it’s understood that most of the building will be demolished in the coming weeks before a new planning application is submitted for its redevelopment as a hotel.

The former hotel closed 18 years ago this month and the building has fallen into a state of dereliction since then.

It’s understood that the new owners, who are purchasing the building from Dungarvan-based developer Michael Ryan, include a local investor and developer.

District Mayor Richie Molloy said that the people of the town were delighted that progress was finally being made on a site that had been an eyesore in the town for so many years, and it was a good way to finish 2023.

“The eyesore that we now know will be more or less demolished,” he stated.

He said the building had attracted a lot of anti-social behaviour and its demolition would be safer for all concerned.

The recently-formed Clonmel Town Team, in collaboration with Tipperary County Council, hosted what it described as a hugely successful event last week on the supports available for vacant properties in the town centre.

Cllr Molloy said the fact that there was such a good attendance at this meeting was a sign that people were prepared to look after their properties, and in some cases the council would be able to provide financial support.

Coincidentally, the meeting was held on the same day that contractors moved onto the Clonmel Arms site.

The District Mayor said that the most derelict site in the town was the old hotel building, and now something was going to happen there.