Hospitality leaders select Mayo for major investment creating 20 jobs

THE hospitality market in Mayo is set to receive a major boost with the imminent opening in Castlebar of Kennedys, a leading, multi-award winning café and catering group.

Kennedys, owned by Castlebar couple Shane and Sarah Bourke, has undertaken a major investment with the construction of a state-of-the art building on the site of the former Skeffington shop site at St. Martin's Terrace close to the town centre.

The new building will consist of a large dining-in space, a dedicated takeaway area and food production facilities employing up to 20 people when it opens in August.

Known for its organic coffee, high quality food and genuinely warm customer service, Kennedys has received a ‘Best in Ireland’ Bridgestone/McKenna’s Guides Award every year since first opening in 2007.

Kennedys operates a number of outlets across Dublin, including high profile sites such as the National Botanic Gardens, Farmleigh Estate and Technological University Dublin.

The Castlebar premises will be Kennedys’ 10th opening and its first location outside of Dublin.

Shane Bourke, director, told The Connaught Telegraph: “Castlebar is a very attractive town with highly regarded schools, excellent retail options and thriving sporting amenities.

“Mayo is a unique destination and we look forward to being an integal part of the local commercial sector.”

“We express our thanks to the planning and traffic departments in Mayo County Council for their constructive and helpful support of the project. Our design and build teams were both highly professional and a pleasure to work with, including Taylor McCarney Architects, Seamus O’Brien & Sons Builders, Fergus Doran (M&E Engineer), Pat O’Grady (Structural Engineer), Jordan Plumbing and Devaney Electrical."

The opening sees the creation of 20 jobs and it will also open up future opportunities for team members to gain experience in Kennedys’ Dublin based businesses