CONSTRUCTION is to start next month on the first purpose-built new hotel for over 20 years in west Cork. Planning permission for the £2.8 million Celtic Ross Hotel at Roscarberry has been granted by Cork County Council and the 65-bedroom hotel will open early in 1997. Designed to blend into the surrounding countryside, the low-rise hotel will incorporate a fully-equipped leisure centre and a heated indoor swimming pool. The promoters are Gerry and Nora Wycherly, who operate 20 self catering cottages in Roscarberry and 30 cottages in Schull.

They plan to keep the hotel open all year round.