THE Prince of Wales Hotel in Athlone, Co Westmeath, has been sold for a price thought to be around £1.8 million.

First established in 1848, the hotel was rebuilt in 1961 and extended in 1991. It was purchased by a local consortium formed by the hotel's general manager, Paul Ryan. The Gunne agency handled the sale.

The three-star hotel has 73 en suite bedrooms, several fine function rooms and conference rooms and a private car-park to the rear.