Galway County Council has taken a decision to grant planning permission for the re-development and refurbishment of the iconic Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna.
This is extremely welcome news for the town and its surrounding areas.
The hotel was destroyed by fire in 2011 and has remained derelict ever since. It has become an eyesore and a huge loss to the town.
I am now hopeful that the developers who own the site will waste no time in restoring the hotel to its former glory.
Portumna has made great advances in terms of its tourist potential recently with significant restoration works at the Castle and the Marina, while attractions like the Irish Workhouse Centre have gone from strength to strength.
The restoration of the hotel would complement these important initiatives to bring a major boost to tourism in the Portumna area.
It would also provide new jobs and support future plans for tourism that would bring major benefits to the local economy.