The D Hotel, Drogheda to house international protection applicants

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058336224/the-d-hotel-drogheda-to-house-international-protection-applicants

I'd advise you to sit in your car tomorrow evening and Saturday and observe the area. I wouldn't advise living there tbh.

The block next door was gutted for 10 years after being burnt out in Nigeria v Lithuania culture clash. Homeless aid just around the corner n lot of drinking druggies along the river.

Throw 500 asylum seekers each side of the river into the mix now also. Having kids I'd live in a tent in a bog first!

makeitcount

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769214#Comment_121769214

Thanks, it's a shame as I am about to sign the contract, but am reading so much negative stuff. What happened to all the positive? I thought Drogheda was the Irish town/city to watch. A picturesque medieval town that you can walk through easliy, friendly people, incredible history, architecture, close to the airport etc. etc. I also thought Drogheda was earmarked for big tech, which would create lots of jobs making it an attractive place for investors. College is growing, bringing students in who add lots of life to any town, and then of course there's the proximity to Belfast and Dublin.. and the coast! I thought living along the river would be a good place to set up a home, and that the apartment's value would increase. I'm sure the DHotel will revert back to a tourist hotel in time, and until then it's important to help and house those that need it.

I don't have a crystal ball but I wonder what's in store for Drogheda over the next 5 - 10 years?

Boxcar_Willie

Biggest town in the country left with no hotel .

Fighting for city status and now have no hotel .

LMFM couldn’t get a govt rep on their radio programme this morning , all left to local councillors to take the flak.

positron

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769886#Comment_121769886

Earmarked for big tech ended up as a big AWS data centre. There's serious neglect towards Drogheda and it's been the case for decades.

gipi

And the college you mention is a further education facility with links to other universities. There is no college per se in Drogheda.

I've lived in Drogheda for almost 20 years, I came here just as the town was beginning to boom. Sadly, it's gone way downhill since those heady days, and the loss of the tourist dollar will have a huge impact - it'll close the few amenities that are left, I fear.

jim-mcdee

Personally that area and those apartments would not be attractive to me because of the traffic in that area and slightly run down , however they are in the center of town so if you are working in the town itself it could be very convenient. If it suites your needs I wouldn't let the hotel put me off. You probably wont even notice them there. The town is already full of eastern Europeans, don't see another 500 immigrants making a big difference. If you are looking for capital appreciation, I think Drogheda is as good as any, though obviously the ship has somewhat sailed 10 years ago for capital appreciation. You could always look for 10k off the price if you are thinking of pulling out anyway.

jim-mcdee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770113#Comment_121770113

Boyne Valley? Scholars? Glenside? Not hotels??

Gaspode

Folks, only post confirmed reports not rumours or hearsay. Give links to reputable sources where you have them, if you don't then don't post.

In these situations there are so many lies spread about by thise with an agenda its easy to get fooled.

Thelonious Monk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769886#Comment_121769886

Don't be ridiculous, I wouldn't worry about it. I live beside a big DP centre in Dublin, I have never noticed anyone causing any trouble. I'm sure it'll be the same if this goes ahead in Drogheda. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that the people you need to watch out for the most in Ireland are our own scumbags, the vast majority of immigrants be they asylum seekers or not don't seem to go looking for trouble. Something like 20% of our population is now foreign born so of course there'll be a few bad eggs.

wavyhair

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770480#Comment_121770480

The Boyne Valley and The Glenside are not in the centre of the town they are not within walking distance. The D Hotel was a perfect location for people who don't have transport. A lot of tourists arrive directly to the bus and train station both of which are within easy walking distance of The D and The Westcourt. Scholars of course is in the centre of the town but nowhere near as big as either of the other hotels.

RoyalCelt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769886#Comment_121769886

It's a good town if you live in a housing estate far away from the **** hole town centre. It's a dump and 1,000 extra international scammers won't help.

BlueSkyDreams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770223#Comment_121770223

M&S recently closed also I believe.

Its a good commuter location for Dublin and Belfast and close to the sea.

I dont know if there are any major job investments planned?

Deeec

Is the D hotel currently open?

What happens the staff - I assume they all lose their jobs now. We really have a **** government that **** on its own hard working people.

The staff lose their jobs, the locals lose a hospitality venue, the hotel owners earn more than they ever did from being open to the public and asylum seekers get comfortable accommodation for free! Its doesnt make sense

enricoh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770480#Comment_121770480

Glenside a brisk walk into town I suppose. Stick down city north while yer at it sure.

whippet

I'm living just outside of Drogheda for the last 12 years and its decline has been steady over that decade.

the exit of M&S from Laurence street will be the last nail in the coffin for that place and it will probably resemble the shambles that the Abbey Centre is now within a few years.

the removal of the only substantial hotel in the town and its proximity to Scotch Hall will affect footfall which will lead to other retail tenants closing doors and it could well go down the same route.

narrow west street is a shambles

there is almost nothing appealing about the town now and aside from the odd pub / coffee shop there is nothing to make anyone want to spend any more time than is absolutely necessary around the place

the fact that a massive oil leaking lump of rust can take centre stage in the middle of the Boyne at the heart of the town is the poster of how Drogheda is

Strumms

An award winning luxury 4 star hotel for them.

Nice…, what a time to be alive.

acceletor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121769359#Comment_121769359

And who was rioting exactly?

Furze99

Drogheda is a commuter suburb subject to the needs of Dublin. And if those needs require asylum accomm., well so be it I guess. The local public reps have been bypassed and the deal done. Better there I suppose with access to more services than a regional town/ village elsewhere.

gipi

What services?

Can't get a GP, schools are full, shops are closing, hospital is overloaded, public transport is about all the place has these days.

I can see the town and environs becoming like Tallaght was - lots of houses, and little else.

combat14

the backlash against this should be ferocious its an absolute disgrace

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770808#Comment_121770808

I've been out of Drogheda for the past 10 years and every time I visit it's just worse. There are zero initiatives to make the town better and every initiative is geared towards moving people out of the town center towards the retail parks.

Narrow west st is completely abandoned.

The Abbey shopping centre is closed.

West St has casinos, charity shops, pound shops and the largest nail salon I've ever seen.

Scotch Hall and the Lawrences never recovered after 2008. That building site at the back of Scotch Hall has been abandonned for the better part of 15 years and nothing was done with it.

I've friends who live just outside Drogheda, and it's quicker to drive to the Pavillions in Swords than get parking in the town centre.

The mismanagement of Drogheda is near criminal.

BorneTobyWilde

No ones going to burn down a massive modern hotel

tom1ie

So if the people seeking asylum that move into this hotel are qualified engineers, doctors, town planners, builders, electricians, plumbers and are willing to work- this could lead to a boom for drogheda no?

Even if some of these people have no qualifications but are willing to train up as labourers, bus drivers (of which there’s a massive shortage) health care assistants etc is this not a good thing?

Surely it’s up to the state to provide these training courses and provide jobs where these people can provide services to Ireland inc and generate money for the country?

BorneTobyWilde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121770776#Comment_121770776

Why would they lose their jobs, the hotel will be now full 24/7 365 days a year

combat14

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121771074#Comment_121771074

insurance companies must already be concerned with 20 properties burned in such a short time

a coherent strategy is needed with genuine refugees welcomed under suitable circumstances

Dannym1991

ill Use a phrase I don’t use too often but love it when I hear it, with a raspy voice “you must be **** jokin me”

lukas8888

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121771109#Comment_121771109

A large amount will most definitely lose jobs.Like all other treasure Ireland hotels will be run on a shoe string.Tripadvisor not relevant.

Beechwoodspark

Awww no - a Lovely hotel, often stopped in for food when my work route included Drogheda - Shame to see what’s being planned for it. Will be wrecked in no time :/

Deeec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121771109#Comment_121771109

I would imagine most would lose their jobs - they may need a few chefs and waitresses, a cleaner and thats it. Other than a few meals a day there is noone else to serve so why would they need the amount of staff they needed before.

I sincerely hope the asylum seekers clean their own rooms and do their own washing and housekeeping staff dont have to do this - I despair if staff have to be employed to do this.