A director of the firm that operates the Clifden Station House hotel in Connemara has said some guests still mention the Golfgate controversy but see it as "more of a curiosity than anything else". Frank Ford made the remark on Wednesday after new accounts showed Western Railway Operations Ltd recorded a 54 per cent increase in post-tax profits to €676,006 in the 12 months to the end of May, as revenues increased by more than 10 per cent. The fiscal 2024 profits followed post-tax profits of €437,972 in the prior year. The hotel was the location of the Golfgate controversy in August 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic that resulted in two public figures, Phil Hogan and Dara Calleary, resigning from their senior posts. Asked if some guests still mention Golfgate, Mr Ford said: "Yes, some people still mention the event but thankfully people have moved on from blame and it is more of a curiosity than anything else." "The hotel was found to have acted in accordance with all guidelines and laws and at this point it does not negatively impact our business." Two directors of the firm, hotel owner John Sweeney and his son James Sweeney, were two of the four defendants in a criminal prosecution concerning the staging of the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on August 19th, 2020. All Covid-19 restrictions breach charges against the four were dismissed by a judge in February 2022. The hotel has just undergone a €2.5 million revamp, with the complete refurbishment of the public areas on the ground floor finished two weeks ago. Mr Ford said: "The previous fit-out was 28 years old and the next generation of the family, with James Sweeney as general manager, was keen to elevate the standards of the hotel." He added: "We have increased the size of the restaurant and provided much improved entrance, reception, bar and lounge areas by utilising space previously given over to conference and banqueting facilities.” "It was a significant investment of just over €2.5 million but in the life-cycle of the building, we feel it is an appropriate investment.” The numbers employed at the hotel increased from 49 to 53 last year. On business prospects for the current year, Mr Ford said: "We are satisfied with the business on our books but are mindful that there are international uncertainties which will impact later in the season and possibly into the next number of years. "Our domestic, UK and European income is strong, and the continued success of the Wild Atlantic Way marketing campaign is a great boost to the Clifden Station House and, we hope, other regional properties. Asked about the driving factors behind the increased profit, Mr Ford said: "We managed to increase our rate and occupancy, primarily in the shoulder season." "We continue to invest significantly in the marketing of the Clifden Station House, and the events of Clifden and the wider Connemara region. Clifden is certainly providing a better year-round experience to visitors and this has improved our occupancy in the shoulder season." At the end of last May, the hotel firm had accumulated profits of €2 million. The company’s cash funds increased from €672,437 to €950,259. The profit for fiscal 2024 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €272,393 and interest costs of €104,642.