140,000 visit Center Parcs in its first year

(Above) The then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured with Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs just before its opening last summer.

Over 140,000 visitors to local Center Parcs during its first year

More than 140,000 guests have stayed at the Center Parcs Longford Forest holiday resort in Ballymahon during its first year in business.

In a statement to mark the one-year anniversary of its opening, Center Parcs described the visitor numbers as "incredible" and said the 83% occupancy level at the resort to date had surpassed expectations.

It said at least 14% (5,800) of all guests who stayed at Center Parcs Longford Forest had booked a return stay.

Other figures issued by the resort stated that, in the last twelve months, its guests have hired 30,000 bikes, booked 11,000 bowling lanes, built and decorated 850 dens, and eaten 72,000 pancakes at the Pancake House restaurant on site.

Fundraising initiatives involving the staff at Center Parcs Longford Forest have also raised over €100,000 for its charity partner, Barretstown.

"Longford Forest’s success since opening one year ago has exceeded our expectations and is something that we are very proud of," said Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs.

"Our vision for the resort was to provide a brand new premium short break experience to Ireland and we are thrilled that so many Irish families have chosen to take visit us.

"When we opened Longford Forest for the first time one year ago, no one could have predicted how this year has gone.

"In line with government guidelines on Covid-19, we had to close our Longford Forest resort, as well as our resorts in the UK.

"We are delighted to be reopen again these past few weeks and the team look forward to welcoming many families taking a staycation within Ireland to the Longford Forest in the coming months," he said.