Former Cork resort hotel to become Mercy Hospital rehabilitation centre

A former Cork hotel and golf resort is set to become a 50-bed rehabilitation and neurological facility in the new year, in what has been described as a major boost for public healthcare in Munster.

On January 1, Mercy University Hospital (MUH) will assume governance of the former Blarney Hotel and Golf Resort, transforming it into a key rehabilitation centre, offering services previously unavailable in the Southwest region.

Currently, most patients requiring such rehabilitative care are forced to travel to Co Dublin.

The facility will consist of 30 beds offering in-patient rehabilitation services after illness, injury, or surgery, and 20 beds allocated for neuro-surgical patients with newly acquired complex disability after neurological injury.

Transfer

The HSE also plans to transfer its prosthetic orthotic limb absence rehabilitation (POLAR) unit from MUH to Blarney in the first quarter of 2026.

Over the past year, the former hotel has been used as a 30-bed step-down facility managed by Mowlam Healthcare on behalf of MUH.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, hailed the decision as “a hugely positive investment in Cork’s health services (representing) a significant step forward” in strengthening rehabilitation and neurological supports across Cork and Munster.

“Previously most rehabilitation patients were required to travel to Dún Laoghaire for treatment,” Mr Burke said.

“This expansion will ease pressure on the Mercy, improve patient flow and also provide capacity for patients who need structured rehabilitation.”

Damian Boylan, Fine Gael city councillor for the north-west ward, said the investment would transform the former resort into a vital community health service.

“Local residents have always wanted to see this used to its full potential and this announcement goes some way towards this ambition,” he said.

Acquired

The former Blarney Hotel and Golf Resort, developed in 2004 as part of a €25m golf resort, was acquired in 2021 by the HSE on behalf of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare for around €3m.

The 61-bedroom former hotel sits within a wider 170-acre site in Shournagh Valley, and was developed originally along with a leisure and gym complex, 56 holiday homes, and a golf course designed by two-time major winner John Daly.

The hotel and the leisure and gym complex closed in January 2020, while the holiday homes, golf course and clubhouse, which are privately owned, remain in use to this day.

In 2023, the HSE applied for retention permission for development works at the former hotel, while seeking permission at the time for a change of use to convert it to a community nursing home unit.