The 87-bed hotel . . . the ninth in the group's expanding Irish portfolio . . . features a spa, a 20m swimming pool, fullyequipped meeting rooms and a banqueting suite with facilities for 550 guests. The ensuite bedrooms include free broadband facilities and are furnished with flat screen televisions. The hotel is situated on the banks of the Moy river, a mile from the centre of town.

With a staff of over 60, Ramada Ballina has brought welcome employment to the County Mayo town. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Seamus Weir, officiated at the official launch last week which included a forum on local business strategy attended by senior executives of the group.

The group's aim is for the new hotel, located 40 minutes from Ireland West Airport Knock and three hours from Dublin, to dominate the tourism market locally and regionally.

According to general manager Richard Swarbrick, "it is testament to the sheer hard work, determination and commitment of all the team at Ramada Ballina that we are open for business and already offering such an excellent service.

"All the signs point to us being in the right place at the right time."