Kilkenny hotel nominated as Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026
Newpark Hotel has been nominated as Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026: The competition gives people the chance to win a share of €2,000 in Town & City Gift Cards, such as the Kilkenny Gift Card
A family-owned Kilkenny hotel which celebrated 60 years of business in 2026 is in the running to be Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026.
The 132 bedroom family-friendly Newpark Hotel is home to Jurassic Newpark, one of Ireland’s only dinosaur themed adventure parks, and is a popular wedding and conference venue, with on-site leisure club. Owned by the Flynn family, Newpark Hotel is part of the Flynn Hotels collection which also includes The Park Hotel Dungarvan and Old Ground Hotel Ennis.
Backed by Kilkenny Chamber, Ireland’s Favourite Local Business, which receives the most nominations in the competition, will win a €1,000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Kilkenny Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winning business receiving a €1,000 Town & City Gift Card.
“Newpark Hotel was founded in 1966 as a 24 bedroom hotel built around the former Newpark House, an elegant 19th Century mansion set in 25 acres,” said Philip Kelly, head of sales and marketing at Newpark Hotel.
“Today, we’ve expanded to 132 bedrooms, with our dining room located in the original building. Many couples use the house and grounds as a backdrop for their wedding photos. Alongside honouring the history of Newpark House, we’ve also invested in the experiences that elevate a stay to extraordinary for guests, such as the €1m addition of the Jurassic Castle Playground, funfair rides and tarmac to Jurassic Newpark last year, and smaller yet still impactful changes such as our new board game corner.
“We’re truly honoured to be nominated as Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026 which I think comes down to our team and their focus on creating memorable experiences for our guests. Every team member is empowered to create ‘The Newpark Moment’ for a guest, which could be as simple as a ticket for a late night hot chocolate or gifting a child the chance to visit our inflatable park. We have many multi-generational families visiting us. The grandparents will often stay on our adult only floor, while the parents and children take advantage of our family facilities like the toddler room or the child friendly pizza and pasta menu.”
Newpark Hotel is one of over 150 businesses which accepts the Kilkenny Gift Card. The card was launched by Kilkenny Chamber in 2024 and is popular as gifts and employee rewards.
“We’re pleased to both accept the Kilkenny Gift Card as a business and also to use it as a reward for our 285 strong team. We use the card to celebrate team milestones and special occasions, such as long service and birthdays, and within our Trip Advisor review programme; if a team member is mentioned for outstanding service, they receive a card as a thank you. This people focus helped our hotel to be certified as a Great Place to Work, and named in the 2026 Ireland’s Best Workplaces in Hospitality,” Philip says.
“Supporting local is integral to our ethos at Newpark Hotel, and we’re happy to be a part of the Kilkenny Gift Card as a collaborative initiative for our area. The card is a great way to support local because it can be used with so many businesses. It’s also a fantastic tool to drive tourism, as the recipient can shop, eat out and stay over all with one gift card.”
Claire McInerney Brown, president of Kilkenny Chamber, said: “We’re proud to see this nomination for Newpark Hotel in the national Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026 competition. The hotel is one of over 150 businesses which accept the Kilkenny Gift Card and one of many local employers who make the decision to support local with their staff rewards and incentives, ring-fencing reward spend into the local economy. Please take a moment to nominate the Kilkenny business you think deserves to take home the accolade as Ireland’s best for a chance to win a €1,000 Kilkenny Gift Card just in time for Christmas.”
The Kilkenny Gift Card is part of the multi-award winning Town & City Gift Cards concept from fintech Miconex, active across Ireland. Over €17.4m in Town & City Gift Cards were sold in 2025.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “As we approach the key Christmas trading period, it has never been more important to show your support for local businesses. Nominating a business as Ireland’s Favourite Local Business 2026, or buying the Kilkenny Gift Card as a gift or staff reward, are easy ways to support a Kilkenny business you love.”
Enter Ireland’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.ie until November 30.