Boutique Avoca Hotel gets £2.5m makeover
Newcastle’s Avoca Hotel has undergone a £2.5million renovation to return the unique character of the 200-year-old property, securing 35 jobs in the process.
The 15-bed family-run boutique hotel, is set at the foot of the Mournes and has been run by the O’Hare Family since June 2018
Built in the 1800’s from Mourne granite and local stone, the Avoca, which has undisturbed views of the Irish Sea, is rich with history and now boasts a modern decorative twist throughout.
All of the bedrooms have been updated with luxury soft furnishings, deep-filled beds and salvaged flooring. New bathrooms have been installed throughout and the reception and bar areas have also been restored.
Work commenced on the property in February 2020 and continued throughout Covid in a “labour of love” project, supported by Diageo and Ulster Bank.
All works were carried out by local contractors; designed by Paul Haffey Design with S J Walsh & Sons appointed as the main contractor alongside Hillen Architects.
Speaking about the restoration, Jack O’Hare said: “We are absolutely thrilled to finally get to this point where we are unveiling the stunning newly refreshed and restored Avoca to our much-loved guests.
“This hotel has always been family-run and has played a huge part in the local economy, hospitality and tourism sector of Newcastle. We work in partnership with other hotels to support the wedding market accommodation sector as well as serving a great Pint of Guinness and pot of mussels to our locals by our open log fires
“It was hugely important to us that we retained the unique character, heritage and history of the building, and we got some lovely surprises during the process of the restoration. We uncovered an old Victorian lift in the property, which dated back to 1860 as well as a well-preserved “Moonlight Calendar” booklet dating back to 1901, which was advise to cyclists for riding your bike back in dark unlit streets.
“The quality and craftsmanship which has been painstakingly restored into every last detail, is second-to-none, and I want to thank each and every one of our partners who have made our vision a reality. From our interior designers, Paul Haffey Design and contractors, S J Walsh & Sons to Hillen Architects, PD Savage Structural Engineers, PM Lighting to Nugent & Gibney furniture – the finished design has exceeded all of our expectations.”
