Developer of new €180m Wexford hotel refutes claims Conor McGregor is involved in project – ‘He has no connection whatsoever’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The developer of the proposed Kilmore Quay Resort Hotel has moved to clarify a number of rumours which have been circulating regarding his intentions for the site. The €180m development received full planning permission from Wexford County Council (WCC) last week. And while developer Rob Roche has expressed his “delight” at this decision he has also addressed “inaccuracies” which have been spreading on social media.

The first of these relates to the potential use of the hotel as an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre.

“There have been misleading claims that an IPAS centre was planned for the site,” said Mr Roche. “This is completely false. I was born, raised, and continue to live locally and have never considered, nor will I ever consider, an IPAS centre on my family’s land. This is a five-star destination resort, designed to the highest standards, and I am fully committed to delivering a quality resort hotel development in Kilmore Quay.”

A further rumour, unfounded, that former UFC champion Conor McGregor would be involved in the project was also refuted by Mr Roche.

“Claims that Conor McGregor is involved in this project are entirely untrue. We can confirm 100 per cent that Mr. McGregor has no connection whatsoever to this development and never has.”

Last month at the September meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) concerns about the impact the new hotel would have on the sewerage plant were raised by Councillor Jim Codd. However, Mr Roche said he and his team had already factored this in to their plans for the hotel.

“The newly constructed treatment plant (in Nemestown) cost in excess of €12m and was designed to accommodate both the current and future growth of the village. The capacity requirements of the proposed resort development were also incorporated into the design. Planning permission for a modular expansion has been secured, in line with the planning conditions set out by Wexford County Council (WCC), and this expansion will be funded by us.

“As part of the development agreement, we are committed to covering the costs associated with facilitating the hotel within the treatment plant, ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the delivery of the hotel for the area.”

Noting that Fáilte Ireland has lodged a formal letter of support for the project, Mr Roche said the proposed development has undergone “rigorous planning and environmental assessments”, including a full EIAR (Environmental Impact Assessment Report) and said it has been designed to integrate sensitively with its surroundings.

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Lastly, with fears about traffic congestion in the area due to the presence of the hotel, Mr Roche said the project has been designed to accommodate any increase in motorists locally.

“Most Sundays, up to 1,600 people already visit the area,” he noted. “The hotel, even at 90 per cent capacity, would accommodate fewer than half of that number. Visitors will park on-site in the hotel’s own car park, not in the village, and traffic will be directed away from the village core.

“The scale is deemed appropriate as the resort is not located in the historic village centre, but just outside it, with pedestrian links that preserve and respect the village’s unique heritage and character.”

Thanking residents, businesses, and members of the community who have provided positive feedback on the plans, Mr Roche said he remains “fully committed to delivering a resort hotel the community can be proud of, one that supports jobs, strengthens the local economy, and encourages families and future generations to live, work, and thrive in Kilmore Quay.

“This development is about lifting the entire community together,” he said.