The Royal Dublin Hotel, which has been sold to property developer Joe O'Reilly, will continue trading as a hotel for at least a further two years.

At the time of the sale in December 2006, it was announced that the hotel would close in early January 2007. Following discussions between O'Reilly and Hotel Partners, which manages the hotel, it was agreed that the hotel would continue to trade as normal while O'Reilly finalises his plans for the site.

O'Reilly bought the hotel from businessman Michael Holland. Opened in 1971, the Royal Dublin is a three-star hotel with 117 bedrooms. Located on O'Connell Street in Dublin, the Royal Dublin Hotel employs 45 full-time staff and a further 17 people on a part-time basis.