Center Parcs is pulling in nearly €2 million a week from its County Longford holiday village.

New accounts filed by Center Parcs Ireland show the business has this year recorded average weekly revenues of €1.85m.

The accounts show that the company’s Irish arm made €29.4 million in profit in the 12 months to April this year – up 9% on last year.

Meanwhile, weekly revenues rose by 10.6% from €87.4m to €96.7m – just short of €1.86m per week.

Profit

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Newstalk Business Editor Joe Lynam labelled the results ‘astonishing’.

“They are making a decent amount of profit for their UK parents,” he said.

“The parent company said they made €152.7 million in dividends in 2024 from the company.

“That's a lot of return for Center Parcs based in Longford.”

The subtropical swimming pool at the Center Parcs Longford Forest resort. Image: Center Parcs

He said the company employs over 1,000 people “in a part of the country that is sometimes difficult to get jobs in”.

“Here's the astonishing thing,” he said. “The rate of occupancy in Center Parcs in Ireland is 98.7%.

“So, there must be like a half a bed somewhere that's not occupied.”

Ireland prices

In a recent interview with Center Parcs CEO Colin McKinlay this morning, Joe pointed out that the company is charging Irish customers significantly more than their UK counterparts.

He said a price comparison between the Longford village and their facility at Longleat Forest in Wiltshire shows that the Irish park is nearly 45% more expensive.

Mr McKinlay explained the difference by pointing out that the two markets are different – and demand in Ireland is significantly higher.

Demand

This morning, Joe said it is a matter of “supply meets demand”.

“The demand here is such and the disposable income is such, that people will pay it,” he said.

“Irish people obviously have the disposable income but also the service is good.

“You can take your family there, outsource the kids for a few hours every single day in the outdoors.

“Even if the weather's rubbish, there's stuff indoors as well so there is stuff to do.”

Center Parcs is next month due to begin construction on a new €100 million upgrade to its Longford village.

The investment involves the construction of 200 new lodges and expanded swimming facilities alongside a new restaurant, coffee house and leisure facilities.