Center Parcs & Ballymahon
Center Parcs’ arrival in Ballymahon has transformed the town over the past decade, bringing new energy, employment, and opportunities for local businesses. This blog looks back at the 2015 announcement, the build, the current extension, and how it has helped create a thriving environment for services like local bike hire and ethical outdoor adventures.
The 2015 announcement
When Center Parcs was first announced for Ballymahon in 2015, it immediately became the talk of the town. There was a genuine sense of excitement that a major international resort had chosen a small Midlands community, with locals discussing everything from new jobs to the prospect of year-round visitors.
People who had watched friends and family leave the area for work suddenly saw a reason to believe in a different future. Local schools, sports clubs, and community groups began to envision new partnerships and opportunities, while existing businesses considered how to adapt to serve an influx of holidaymakers.
The build and buzz
During the construction phase, Ballymahon experienced an immediate lift. Tradespeople, suppliers, and contractors passed through town every day, filling cafés, shops, and accommodation while the new forest resort began to take shape nearby.
The build also brought visible change to local infrastructure and roads leading towards the site, making the area feel more connected and more prominent on the national map. Conversations in pubs and at kitchen tables often revolved around how different the town might look once the gates finally opened and guests started arriving in large numbers.
Extension and continued growth
Today, with a new extension underway, that early promise is still evolving. The decision to expand shows that Center Parcs sees a long‑term future in Ballymahon, which reinforces confidence for local entrepreneurs considering new investments or services.
An extended resort footprint and increased capacity mean more guests, more repeat visits, and more opportunities to showcase what the wider area offers beyond the village within the trees. For Ballymahon, this is a chance to deepen the connection between the resort and the town, encouraging guests to explore the Royal Canal Greenway, local trails, heritage sites, and independent businesses.
Impact on Ballymahon businesses
The impact on local business has been significant, especially for hospitality, retail, and activity providers. Guest demand for food, drink, experiences, and practical services has encouraged new openings and helped existing businesses extend their seasons and diversify their offerings.
Ballymahon is no longer just a place people pass through; it has increasingly become a base for exploring Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The presence of a major resort nearby has made it easier to attract attention from tourism bodies, media, and visitors who might previously have overlooked this part of Longford.
Why bike hire matters now
One of the clearest opportunities created by Center Parcs’ success and expansion is in cycling. With thousands of guests arriving to a forest location beside the Royal Canal Greenway and scenic country roads, the demand for easy, accessible bike hire and bike rental has never been stronger.
Ethical Tours is ideally placed to meet that demand with bike hire and e‑bike hire in and around Ballymahon. Visitors can step outside the resort bubble and discover the surrounding landscape at their own pace, using high-quality bikes to explore the canal, nearby forests, and quiet rural lanes.
Bike hire with Ethical Tours
Ethical Tours offers bike rental tailored to Center Parcs guests and day‑trippers, making it simple to turn a short break into a deeper Midlands adventure. Guests can book bikes or e‑bikes in advance, plan routes along the Royal Canal Greenway, and connect forest time with authentic experiences in Ballymahon town and beyond.
By choosing Ethical Tours for bike hire, visitors support a local, sustainable business that reinvests in the community and promotes low-impact, nature-based experiences. As Center Parcs continues to grow, Ethical Tours will keep championing cycling, slow travel, and meaningful connections between the resort, the town of Ballymahon, and the wider Midlands region.
Note: Ethical Tours is an independent, privately owned company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any specific resort, park or accommodation provider.