Construction Of €100m Development At Center Parcs To Begin In September

Almost 200 new lodges will be added.

Construction of a new €100m development at a midlands holiday resort is due to begin in September. 

Center Parcs in Longford expects to create 250 permanent jobs when the project is completed. 

The development will include the addition of 198 lodges - four of which will be luxury Treehouses. 

Plans also include a new restaurant, coffee house and leisure facilities, with measures being put in place to reduce energy consumption.

The spa will also be expanded to include new treatment rooms and a Treetop Sauna. 

Around 300 jobs will be created during construction. 

Works, which will get underway in autumn, will be completed in stages. 

Once finished, the Ballymahon site will be able to cater for 3,500 guests per break. 

Center Parcs, which officially opened in 2019, says year on year they have seen an increase in the number of guests staying in Longford Forest. 

Center Parcs UK & Ireland’s CEO, Colin McKinlay, said: “We are delighted to announce that following several years of planning, we will commence work on our expansion of Longford Forest this autumn. Year on year, we have seen an increase in the number of guests we have welcomed to Longford Forest and many returning families, who have really taken Center Parcs into their hearts.  

“Speaking of hearts, at Center Parcs we feel so fortunate to be geographically located at the heart of Ireland and have the ongoing support of the local community. We are thrilled to be able to create even more opportunities for them and boost the local economy further.”  

The company says in the 12 months between April 2023 and April 2024 alone, Center Parcs Longford Forest generated €58 million for the Irish economy, €23 million in Exchequer revenue and welcomed 260,700 guests.

It also says locally, the resort has generated €44 million within Longford and created over 1300 jobs.

Of those employed, 60% are from within the county, and a further 36% reside in neighbouring counties.