A €2.5million new conference centre just opened at a Limerick hotel has been dedicated to it’s founder and a man who used his money to help many good causes across the world.
The owners of the Castletroy Park Hotel, Pat and Una McDonagh, launched 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 €2.5million, stands as a significant enhancement to the region’s business infrastructure.
The centre was inaugurated by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe in a ceremony honouring Mr Feeney’s legacy.
The Mid West region is enjoying a period of robust economic growth. Employment across the region 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 seven per cent. Business continuity is 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.
These figures underscore how the new conference centre arrives at a pivotal moment — offering enhanced local capacity for conferences, business events, and corporate functions that can channel further economic momentum.
“This €2.5million 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,” said owner Pat McDonagh.
Located adjacent to the main hotel complex, the new includes flexible-function meeting spaces, modern AV and hybrid conferencing capabilities, breakout suites, and a welcoming reception area.
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.
