Sale of Old Darnley Lodge reported to be imminent

The Old Darnley Lodge Hotel in Athboy is believed to have been sold by its receiver, with a deal understood to be signed off by the end of this week.
The hotel, which closed in mid-January, leading to a month-long sit-in of employees seeking their redundancy entitlements, was put on the market in March on the instruction of Gerry McInerney, receiver, of McInerney Saunders, through Raymond Potterton and Company of Navan.
The 16-bedroom hotel was asking €650,000, and it is understood that six interested bidders went through the tender process, with agreement being reached with one bidder. The contract is due to be signed by the end of this week.
The imminent new owner is believed to be planning continue the Old Darnley Lodge as a hotel. The business commands a strategic trading position on main street, and includes a separate self-contained nightclub and fitness room, a lounge bar, restaurant, and function room.
Named after the Earl of Darnley who was the local landlord in olden times, it was also known as the Kirwan Arms Hotel when the Kirwan family ran it for decades. Chef Richard Corrigan, who now runs famed restaurants in London, began his career there under the tutelage of Ray Vaughan.