PICS: Construction begins on Ireland’s brand new ‘forest resort’ in Longford

This is going to be game changer for tourism in the Longford region.

Ground has been broken on Ireland’s first Center Parcs forest resort, which will open in Co. Longford in 2019. The €233m project is set to be the first of its kind in the country, with over 700 workers on site ahead of next year's grand opening. The resort will cater for up to 2,500 guests and will boast up to 466 Lodges and 30 apartments, designed with families and the environment in mind. There will be more than 100 indoor and outdoor activities, a luxury spa, a range of restaurants, cafés and shops and the popular Subtropical Swimming Paradise with water rides. The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in the midlands, with Center Parcs expected to add approximately €32m to Irish GDP per annum and €1 billion over the next 20 years. Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs, said: “We are now at full steam ahead on the build to deliver Ireland’s first Center Parcs resort here in County Longford. "We are thrilled to be working with two fantastic Irish contractors – Roadbridge and Sisk – to deliver our unique short break experience for families across Ireland. "Seeing the lodges sprout up amongst the trees and our Subtropical Swimming Paradise take shape here in Newcastle Wood is truly a sight to behold.  In little over one year, the Irish forest we are standing in now will be ringing with the sound of children enjoying a woodland break and creating treasured family memories of their first Center Parcs break. "We now have 700 workers on site and spend levels on the construction project have reached €1million per week.  We’re delighted to recently announce the awarding of supplier contracts worth €1million to family business Briody beds in Westmeath and Java Republic who will be our bespoke tea and coffee supplier.” This is how the project will look once completed: