One of Ireland's great country hotels, Newpark Hotel, in Kilkenny, has completed an extension as part of its longterm plans to enlarge and upgrade the hotel. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was on hand last Friday to mark the official opening of the £4 million extension, which includes a terrace-style restaurant, new foyer and business centre and additional bedrooms. It is planned to spend a further £8 million on the next two development phases. The hotel was established in 1966 and since then five other hotels have opened in the city.