The former Hydro and Pitch and Putt site at The Promenade in Tramore. One of the most attractive greenfield sites in Europe?
It was great to see Tramore making national headlines last week for all the right reasons. In a survey conducted by The Sunday Times, the seaside resort was named as the second-best place to live in Ireland, as far as quality of life and cost of living were concerned.
To their credit, lots of people in different spheres are working hard to improve Tramore and their efforts to promote the town seem to be paying dividends.
Thomastown also did well in the survey achieving sixth place with Midleton in County Cork taking the top spot.
Last week, I showed a businessman friend around the seaside resort who hadn’t visited in over 30 years.
He was well impressed but was puzzled by the large green space across from The Promenade where The Hydro and Pitch and Putt Course used to be.
He simply couldn’t believe that there wasn’t a four-star hotel with conference facilities on what he considered to be one of the most attractive sites he had seen anywhere in Europe in years.
“Greenfield sites in upmarket towns directly overlooking the sea and a strand of the quality and length of Tramore just don’t exist anymore. I can’t believe there isn’t a thriving all year round hotel in operation,” he said in amazement.
I should point out to readers who may not be over familiar with Tramore that the resort does have three busy hotels plus a range of restaurants and there is a planning notice in the name of Flowerhouse Ireland Ltd pinned to a gate on The Promenade site, dated from August of last year, seeking permission to build a sports, leisure and retail facility.