Local festival organisers have told Gript that plans to convert Drogheda’s largest hotel into a centre for International Protection Applicants will have a detrimental effect on local tourism in the County Louth town.
It comes after it emerged this week that the four-star D Hotel on Marsh Road will offer its 111 hotel rooms to as many as 500 International Protection Applicants from next month. In response, Deputy Mayor of Drogheda Kevin Callan expressed unease at the decision, saying it would have a “massive impact” on Drogheda’s economy.
While the decision has sparked controversy, Green Party representatives in the area said there was a “moral and legal responsibility to provide shelter to those fleeing war and persecution.”
Green Party Rep for Drogheda Rural, Anthony Murphy, said:
“We have a moral and legal responsibility to provide shelter to those who come to our country fleeing war and persecution. Over the past two years, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcomed those who come here seeking refuge.”
Now, local festival organisers have told Gript that the decision to close the hotel’s doors to the public – for the next two years – in order to house hundreds of migrants claiming asylum from the 5th March, has left event and festival management asking the questions: “Where do I accommodate my acts? Where do the tourists go?”
Event organisers pointed out that according to the last census, Drogheda is the town with the largest population in the State, with 44,135 residents. They also said the decision to turn the town’s largest hotel into an IPAS centre sharply contradicted efforts to promote local tourism.
In September 2023, it was confirmed that Louth would finally be represented on the Board of Boyne Valley tourism, following months of pressure to ensure that Louth had an input in developing a tourism strategy for the Boyne Valley, including Drogheda.
Fianna Fail councillor James Byrne was a key advocate for ramping up tourism in the town, saying at the time that Drogheda should be represented on the Board.
“There has been a collaborative approach taken by Meath County Council with Louth County Council, Fáilte Ireland and others.
“However, we need to utilise every means possible to put Drogheda firmly on the tourism map. It is very much part of the Boyne Valley with official Fáilte Ireland Destination Town status,” said Cllr Byrne in September.
Local festival organisers who spoke to Gript said: “The decision to turn the town’s biggest hotel into an IPAS centre leaves Drogheda with a total hotel accommodation of 16 rooms to be found solely in Scholars Townhouse Hotel.
“Marcy’s Hotel, previously known as the WestCourt Hotel reopened its doors in 2020, but has since closed its 29-bedrooms to tourists also.”
“Peggy Moore’s & The Spoon & Stars offer hostel-style accommodation, while hotels on the outskirts of Drogheda such as ‘The Boyne Valley Hotel’ & ‘Glenside Hotel’ are not within walking distance of Drogheda town centre. “
Drogheda is home annually to a plethora of festivals, including Drogheda Arts Festival, Lú (Festival of Light), Leanbh Children’s festival, Boyne Valley Trails Walking Festival to name a few, with something on offer to everyone visiting Drogheda.
Festival organisers said that the “shock decision” has left event and festival managers asking, “Where do I accommodate my acts? Where do the tourists go?”
They pointed out that Drogheda’s inaugural Comedy Festival, which is due to take place from the 8th – 10th March has now relocated its comedy event featuring Deirdre O’Kane, Barry Murphy, Kevin Gildea, Ed Sammon, and Sharon Mannion from the D Hotel to the Barbican Theatre on Saturday 9th at 8pm.
At the time of interview, they pointed out that “not a single hotel room, nor private residence on AirBnB was available for Friday or Saturday night of the comedy festival.”
“A total of 2-single beds were available in a double room in Scholars Townhouse Hotel on Sunday night, priced at €199,” they added.
“There are a number of local groups, patrons and businesses working tirelessly to positively promote Drogheda with the hope of increasing tourism in the locality, increasing footfall in the town and boosting the local economy.
“The lack of consultation with the public and with local representatives has left locals angered,” the event organisers added.
They further explained that in planning and budgeting for a festival, accommodation for up to 50 to 60 employees may be required. As recently as last November, the hotel offered online rates for a Saturday night at €174 for a single room; €189 for a double room; and €219 for a family room.
“To encourage tourism, The D Hotel had generously offered discount codes for accommodation in previous years, in partnership with various festivals, events & venues in Drogheda. This year however, event and festival planners are left with nowhere to accommodate an influx of professionals employed by festivals. There is simply no room left at the inn.”
Continuing, the disillusioned festival planners said: “This situation poses a huge problem for event programming. Festivals depend on acts of the highest calibre to headline performances and to draw in audiences. Without suitable accommodation, headline acts cannot be sought from Cork, Galway and Donegal, not to mention international speakers and artists.
“It somewhat defeats the purpose of organising a festival. Audiences naturally want to see & hear acts who aren’t readily accessible to them — that’s what creates a demand & sells tickets. People want top performers on their doorstep.
Moreover, event managers told Gript that one of the greatest impacts such festivals and events have on a town like Drogheda is the sense of community and belonging that they create.
“It draws supporters of similar demographics and interests together to share in meaningful experiences. Having a central hub for events, food and accommodation builds an irreplaceable festival atmosphere.
“Performers and speakers often meet with audience members after their acts, but without accommodation it leaves many having to travel, who in turn rush home once the performance draws to a close.”
They said the result will be to push events to an earlier start time. This, they say, “will decimate the natural festival atmosphere that develops through after-show conversation and camaraderie, and have a profound negative effect on the night-time economy, hitting the local pubs and restaurateurs the hardest.”
“Drogheda is fortunate to be one of nine towns in Ireland that has a Night-Time Economy Advisor to support the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy in the town centre. It goes without saying that having ample accommodation is central to promoting night-time tourism. It is disheartening to only see a total of 16 hotel rooms now available in Drogheda town centre,” event organisers added.
“Drogheda is a historic town that has so much to offer. 25 minutes from Dublin airport in the heart of the Boyne Valley, Drogheda is a stone’s throw from Newgrange, Slane Castle, the Hill of Tara & the Battle of the Boyne site.
“There are plenty of local attractions also such as Millmount, St. Laurence’s Gate and St. Oliver Plunkett’s head (on display in St. Peter’s Church). For families and budding young tourists, Emerald Park (previously Tayto park) & Funtasia are on Drogheda’s doorstep.”