Dismay but little can be done to prevent the demolition of the Grand Canal Hotel building in Tullamore.
The Grand Canal Hotel building in St Brigid's Place Tullamore, County Offaly, is an imposing structure dating back to 1801. It was one of several such buildings constructed to capitalise on canal traffic, the others being Portobello in Dublin, the derelict hotel in Shannon Harbour and the hotel at Robertstown in County Kildare. The plan of the Tullamore Hotel is identical to the one in Robertstown.
The need for the Tullamore hotel disappeared within five years after its construction The Georgian building has served as a Catholic presbytery for many years for the parish priest and his five curates, but it is not ideal for that purpose.
Funds have been raised for a new presbytery on the site. Planning permission has been granted and the former Grand Canal Hotel building is to be demolished.
It appears the hotel building is doomed for demolition amid an uproar of protest.
It cannot be refurbished as a presbytery and it cannot be sold to become a canal amenity similar to the hotel in Robertstown.
The Grand Canal Hotel in Tullamore was demolished in September 1974.
This episode of 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 24 March 1973. The reporter is Frank Hall.
