The Royal Theatre Castlebar has new owners after hotel management and property companies, Islandeady Properties and Lansdowne Frances, agreed to purchase the properties. The acquisition includes The Royal Theatre, The Ruby Room, Mayo Conference Centre, TF Hotel, Harlequin Hotel (4 star ), multi storey car park, and The Royal Quarter Retail Area incorporating Boots Chemists and other various retail stores, The Mosaic and other car parks.
A definitive agreement to purchase the assets between the companies from Andrew O’Leary and Kieran Wallace of KPMG was signed this week. The new management team bring decades of experience in the theatre, hotel, and retail sector, and include Seamus Sutcliffe of Lansdowne Francs, Patrick Jennings and Louise Jennings. The assets include the Royal Theatre which has a capacity for 2,200 seated and 4,000 standing
Seamus Sutcliffe from Lansdowne Francs who will be the new CEO advises: ”We intend to invest in and grow The Royal Theatre and its related hotel and retail businesses through enhanced marketing efforts, expanding existing projects and executing on opportunities to broaden the group’s footprint in Castlebar. We look forward to providing exceptional arts and music offerings in the theatre and excellent service in our on-site hotels and retail assets.”
Seamus Sutcliffe also added: “We are announcing the opening of new on site retail concessions including a Ticketmaster Retail Store and a Starbucks ‘Proud to Serve’ concession. Over the next number of months we also expect to conclude negotiations with a major UK premium grocery outlet for The Royal Quarter. We hope that we will continue to receive every possible support from the local community for the business going forward.” Pat Jennings will take the helm at The Royal Theatre and will become its artistic director with immediate effect. The Royal Theatre will publish a list of shows and events shortly which will include a number of music events and some excellent West End musical shows.
An announcement is expected shortly regarding the appointment of a conference and events centre director at the on-site Mayo Convention Centre which is currently the count centre for the European Elections. Declan Durcan has recently been appointed as marketing director at The Royal Theatre.
