Center Parcs Ireland announces €85 million expansion plan including new luxury treehouses

Center Parcs Ireland has just announced plans for a whopping €85 million investment in the Longford Forest. Set across 400 acres of lush woodland, the resort currently has 466 lodges and 30 apartments with capacity for up to 2,500 guests at any one time. 

Enjoying phenomenal success since it first opened in July 2019 – despite being closed for a large chunk of the past year – the park has an average occupancy rate of 90% at peak times. Home to Ireland’s first outdoor spa, the facility boasts 21 different spa experiences as well as a range of face and beauty treatments… so, it’s no surprise that the midland oasis is in such hot demand. 

Yesterday announcing plans for a proposed €80 to €85 million investment in the resort, staff have said that the development is driven by “great confidence in business and the Irish domestic tourism market”. Hoping to further increase the number of lodges available to rent, the proposal also includes plans for 200 additional lodges – four of which will be luxury treehouses. 

Hidden away within the heart of the forest, each treehouse will be able to sleep up to eight people and will come complete with a games den, an outdoor hot tub, private parking and a dedicated treehouse host for the duration of each party’s stay. 

Alongside the plans to increase the number of lodges, the development also proposes to extend existing facilities, including leisure facilities, restaurants and cafés, back of house facilities and both the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Spa. Confirming that the development will remain within the existing site boundary, Center Parks UK and Ireland CEO Martin Dalby said that the team is “thrilled” to be announcing further investment in the resort.

“Despite a challenging year, we have great confidence in both our business and the Irish domestic tourism market, backed up by our extremely positive forward bookings for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.

“Since we opened, Irish families have really taken Center Parcs to their heart, and we are excited to bring more visitors to this beautiful part of the country and introduce the Center Parcs concept to even more families.

“This announcement is great news for County Longford, a significant investment which will generate more local jobs, opportunities for local suppliers, consultants and contractors and a significant boost for the local and regional economy,” he continued.

Also commenting on the announcement, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar agreed that it was “fantastic news” for the midlands. “Center Parcs is a really valued employer in the area. I know the company has made a huge effort to work with the local community and I’m sure that will continue with this further expansion, which will see €80 to €85 million invested, 250 permanent jobs created and a further 300 during construction. I wish the team the very best of luck and thank them for their continued commitment to Ireland.”

Center Parcs will commence detailed design and site survey work in the coming weeks as well as a programme of community engagement ahead of submitting an official planning application to Longford County Council. 

Imagery via Center Parcs