Lurgan entrepreneur unveils plans for new leisure and tourist complex at Lough Neagh – The Irish News

Lurgan Entrepreneur Plans New Leisure Complex on Lough Neagh

Lurgan entrepreneur Patrick McAliskey and his wife Anita have unveiled plans to develop a new leisure complex on the shores of Lough Neagh. The couple has notified the Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council of their intentions for Kinnego Marina, located on the south-east shore of the lake near the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve.

The current site features a caravan park and glamping pods, but the McAliskey’s company, One-AP Ltd, has submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) to planning authorities for a significant investment in the area. The proposed development includes a new leisure complex, health and wellbeing facility, café, tourist accommodation, and business units, replacing the existing boat showroom and business units.

The plans outline a scheme of approximately 75,000 sq ft on a 3.5-acre site, with Magherafelt-based Vision Design reportedly involved as the architecture firm. Mr. McAliskey, a prominent figure in the tech industry, founded Real Time Systems in 1994, which later merged to form Novosco and was eventually sold to German group Cancom in a £70 million deal in 2019.

Despite his background in IT, McAliskey has diversified his interests with investments in a brewery, coffee business, and software company. The latest venture into tourism and hospitality in his hometown of Lurgan is set to bring new opportunities for the local community. A public consultation event to discuss the plans is scheduled for June 5 at the North Lurgan Community Centre, offering residents a chance to learn more about the proposed development and provide feedback before a full planning application is submitted.