Advice for the new owner(s) of the Caiseal Mara
The new owner(s) bought it for just €175,000. If run properly, in a few years, it could be worth millions. So, here is some advice that I would have for them if they want to make that big money.
1. Do up the Function Room. It used to get loads of weddings but most people go elsewhere to places like the Ballyliffin Spa Hotel or the Redcastle more locally.
2. Only 13 of 48 the rooms were done up last time. You’ll need to do more of the rooms up if you are to get weddings. The problem last time was that they did up the bar (and made it not as nice as before) and the reception area – even sticking in a €50,000 chandelier along with marble floors.
It looked good but it was all fur coat and no knickers.
3. Work closely with Festival organisers to make the festivals major worldwide festivals.
4. It was always the West of Scotland that Moville’s tourist trade came from. That is area that you should target. They can’t complain about the weather as it is much the same there. They also spend more money than people from down the country.
5. Consider changing the name back to McNamara’s, which most people still call it, or even one of the previous names.