€2.5 million Castletroy Park Hotel Conference Centre opens in tribute to Chuck Feeney

Minister Pascal O’Donoghue cuts the ribbon at the opening of the new state of the art Conference Centre @ The Castletroy Park Hotel. Also in the picture is Pat and Una McDonagh, SO Hotels, and Mayor John Moran. Photo Credit: Marie Keating

The new Castletroy Park Hotel Conference Centre opens in tribute to businessman and philanthropist, Chuck Feeney, to bolster the Mid West business landscape

The owners of the Castletroy Park Hotel, Pat and Una McDonagh, have announced the completion of The Conference Centre @ The Castletroy Park Hotel, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, built as a tribute to the hotel’s founder and philanthropist, Chuck Feeney.

This purpose-built conference centre, backed by an investment of €2.5 million, stands as a significant enhancement to the region’s business infrastructure. The Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., in a ceremony honouring Mr. Feeney’s legacy.

The Mid-West region is enjoying a period of robust economic growth. Employment across the region has reached a record high of 279,000, with unemployment at just 3.4 per cent. Shannon Airport, central to regional connectivity, has handled over 1.04 million passengers in the first half of 2025—an annual increase of 7 per cent. Business continuity is further supported by the substantial growth in the various business parks in the region, hosting hundreds of businesses and generating several billion in economic activity annually.

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These figures underscore how The Conference Centre @ The Castletroy Park Hotel arrives at a pivotal moment—offering enhanced local capacity for high-quality conferences, business events, and corporate functions that can channel further economic momentum into the wider Mid-West and Shannon corridors.

“Today marks more than the unveiling of a new facility—it is the realisation of a mission,” said the owner of Castletroy Park Hotel, Pat McDonagh. “This €2.5 million investment not only elevates the standard of business hospitality in our region, but also celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Chuck Feeney, whose generosity and vision continue to inspire us. It is a logical extension of the vision he had for the region and I extend my heartfelt thanks to his family for their kind approval of the dedication and also to the team here at the Castletroy Park Hotel.”

Minister Donohoe said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially open the Conference Centre at Castletroy Park and dedicate it to the memory of Chuck. The dedication reflects the impact Chuck Feeney’s philanthropy has had on the region, and it will be a welcome addition to the event and business landscape in the city and wider region.

“Recent years have seen Limerick become a hub of investment and innovation, which has been a firm focus of Government.

“The centre is the modernisation of that first vision that Chuck had for UL and Limerick. It reflects the growth in the Midwest and also further underscores Pat and Una’s commitment to and confidence in the region and the furthering of business and community development.”

Located adjacent to the main hotel complex, The Conference Centre @ The Castletroy Park Hotel includes flexible-function meeting spaces, modern AV and hybrid conferencing capabilities, breakout suites, and a welcoming reception area. Tailored to the needs of both local and international business clients, it positions Limerick as a premier destination for conventions, seminars, and corporate gatherings.

Chuck Feeney (1931–2023) was an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers and for giving away almost his entire multi-billion-dollar fortune through his foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Deeply committed to Ireland, he became one of the most significant private donors in the country’s history, supporting universities, health initiatives, and peace efforts. Limerick, in particular, benefited enormously from his generosity: Mr. Feeney was a driving force behind the transformation of the University of Limerick into a world-class institution, funding key buildings, research facilities, and scholarships. His vision and investment left a legacy on the city’s educational and economic landscape, helping position Limerick as a centre for learning and innovation.