Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland - A report from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

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Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland - A report from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.
Hotel Expansion
in Northern Ireland
A report from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation.

                                                        MAY 2019
Hotel Room Growth 2015-2020
       11000

       10500

                                                                                                  10,200
       10000
                                                                                 9,992

        9500
                                                                                  Q2
                                                                 9,251           +227
        9000
                                                                                  Q3
        8500
                                                                                  +64

                                                                                  Q4
        8000                                                                     +399
                                                  8,030
                     7,823         7,884
        7500
                     2015          2016            2017           2018           2019             2020
Chart 1: Northern Ireland Hotel Room Growth Forecast to 2020
                    Accommodation Stock by Sector based on Room Numbers
        10000

           7500

           5000

           2500

               0
                     Hotels    Guesthouses Guest Accom           B&B       Self Catering Campus Acc

Chart 2: Accommodation stock by Sector based on Room Numbers
   Table 1. Accommodation stock by sector

    Type                                           Premises                              Rooms

    Hotels                                            142                                9,302

    Guesthouses                                        82                                 718

    Guest Accommodation                               162                                 985

    Bed & Breakfasts                                  614                                2,008

    Self-Catering                                    3,060                               4,103

    Campus Accommodation                               9                                 4,026

    Totals                                           4,069                               21,142

   All accommodation types have seen growth. In particular, guest accommodation, Guest House and self-
Table 1: Accommodation Stock by Sector
   catering. The bulk of this activity has been on the North Coast as this region prepares for The Open golf
   competition in July. In certain cases, operators have opted for less traditional accommodation offerings
   coming to market as guest accommodation or self-catering. Operating costs can be reduced by taking this
   route and if may reflect the changing needs of the consumer who may prefer a more independent option.
   Whilst Guest house numbers have been falling over recent years, a resurgence has begun with a number of
   high-end deluxe five-star products coming to market. These have performed well and are filling in niche in
Introduction
The hotel sector in Northern Ireland has enjoyed a period of success. 2016 and
2017 were record years and the industry now has a very fresh, new product.

This report is an update on the hotel market          catering. However, it is important to note that
in Northern Ireland. A more in-depth report           there are a number of other accommodation
was produced in October 2018, highlighting            classes which have entered the market in
the economic impact of recently opened and            considerable numbers: student/campus
planned hotel construction, a forecast on its         accommodation and hostels that also compete
effects, as well as analysis of the addition of       for the visitor business. Both of these sectors
considerable supply to the market.                    have grown over the last two years with an
                                                      addition of 3,000 student dwellings in the
Background                                            market in Belfast.

In May 2019, there are 142 registered hotels          We have now included these in our analysis as
in Northern Ireland. In the last 24 months,           their numbers present a challenge for hotels.
hotel numbers have increased by 1,500 rooms,          They are effectively often chasing the same
the bulk of them in Belfast. Construction has         business but there is limited data in terms of
slowed down in the city, but further stock may        availability and occupancy.
come on stream in 2021 as a number of larger
projects come to fruition.                            A breakdown of accommodation types based
                                                      on May 2019 data is shown in Table 1 and Chart
On a pan-Northern Ireland basis, hotel room           2.
numbers were predicted to break the 9,500
level by late 2018 but this figure will not be        All accommodation types have seen growth. In
achieved until late 2019 with a number of             particular, guest accommodation, guesthouse
projects revising their opening dates and             and self-catering. The bulk of this activity
others opting for non-hotel certification.            has been on the North Coast as this region
                                                      prepares for The Open golf competition in July.
The considerable influx of rooms and the
compressed timeframe of their opening has             In certain cases, operators have opted for less
had an effect in the market. Demand has               traditional accommodation offerings coming
grown in all regions but has been outstripped         to market as guest accommodation or self
by an increase in supply of some 19% over a           catering. Operating costs can be reduced
two-year period.                                      by taking this route and it may reflect the
Market re-adjustment in Belfast will take             changing needs of the consumer who may
about eighteen months and, depending on               prefer a more independent option.
development, other regions may experience a
similar trend.                                        While guesthouse numbers have been falling
                                                      over recent years, a resurgence has begun with
Traditionally, in addition to hotels, the             a number of high-end deluxe five-star products
market has included guesthouses, guest                coming to market. These have performed well
accommodation, bed & breakfast and self-              and are filling a niche in the marketplace.

Published in May 2019 by
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation
The McCune Building, 1 Shore Road, Belfast BT15 3PG
Tel: 028 9077 6635 Web: nihf.co.uk                    © 2019 Northern Ireland Hotels Federation

                                                                             Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland   3
“
Nearly 10,000
hotel bedrooms
by the end of
“
2019
After a record 2017, 2018 was a year of             rooms grew throughout Northern Ireland and
consolidation. The last quarter of 2018 saw the     that the first quarter of 2019 has limited event
effects of significant new stock come into play.    activity and is heavily reliant on the domestic
This, coupled a with level of uncertainty due to    market.
Brexit and a limited number of events, caused
a significant wobble to end the year.               Derry-Londonderry and SW Ulster grew rate
                                                    and held occupancy. The in-depth forecast for
The year finished with a slight dip in occupancy    Belfast, created by STR and Oxford Economics,
(74.5%), a small increase in rate (£79.09) and a    shows some volatility in the market from late
reduction in RevPAR (£58.88). This was pretty       2018 with a return to growth in 2020.
much on forecast, with the influencing factor
being Belfast with its substantial room growth.

Figures for Q1 2019 show pressure on rate
and occupancy still evident. However, it is
important to note that overall demand for

Belfast
Belfast has seen the majority of growth over the past two years and this is
where rate and occupancy are under the greatest pressure.

The Belfast section of this report looks at hotel       predicted for 2021. This includes a number
growth in two tables:                                   of new players and brands for the city with
                                                        current forecasting indicating about 600
•   2a. Hotels that are currently in construction       bedrooms coming online.
    or due to open in 2019. There are only 143
    rooms in total and opening dates have           •   Demand has grown considerably in the city
    been fluid on other projects with no firm           and as the supply curve tails off, rate and
    dates at this time.                                 occupancy should settle down, having a
•   2b. Probable hotel projects which could             positive effect on these key metrics.
    come to the market before 2020 but may
    not progress in their current format.           •   The economy is under pressure. The impact
                                                        of Brexit on staff, skills and consumers may
The list is not exhaustive, and projects can            have a dramatic effect on Belfast and the
evolve or re-emerge quickly, depending on               wider NI market.
finance, need and planning. A couple of other
points to note:                                     •   The list of new hotels is by no means
                                                        exhaustive and may alter as consumer
•   Rooms in Belfast have increased by 34% in           trends and business needs evolve.
    hotel terms, with additional stock in guest
    accommodation campus accommodation              It is important to note that two hotels, Titanic
    and self-catering increasing supply             Hotel and Bullitt, opened in 2016. When you
    considerably.                                   add this room stock, as well as The Flint and
                                                    easyHotel (which are not certified as hotels),
•   The 150 new rooms to come into the city in      you effectively have an increase of 44% in
    2019 appear to be stalled at this time and      overall rooms in a 26-month period.
    may be delayed until 2020.

•   As predicted, the next tranche of activity
    is underway with considerable stock

                                                                        Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland   5
Belfast Developments
The list is not exhaustive, and projects can evolve or re-emerge quickly, depending on finance, need and
The Belfast section of this report looks at hotel growth in two tables:
planning. A couple of other points to note:
2A.     Hotels that are currently in construction or due to open in 2019. There are only 143 rooms in total and
•  Rooms  in Belfast
     openings        havebeen
              dates have  increased   byother
                               fluid on  34%projects
                                              in hotelwith
                                                      termsno with additional
                                                              firm dates       stock
                                                                         at this time.in guest accommodation
   campus  accommodation    and  self-catering increasing  supply  considerably.
2B. Probable hotel projects which could come to the market before 2020 but may not progress in their
        current format.
•  The 150 new rooms to come into the city in 2019 appear to be stalled at this time and may be delayed
   until
Table 2A.2020.
          Possible Belfast Hotel Openings in 2019 – currently under construction

• NoAs predicted,
         Name     the next Rooms
                           tranche ofDetail
                                      activity is underway with considerable stock predicted
                                                                                     Grade for 2021.
                                                                                                   OpenThis
     includes a number of new players and brands for the city with current forecasting indicating about 600
                                     Signature Living development. Bedroom
         The George
   1 bedrooms coming on line. 63     numbers now 63 and no opening date               UG           2019
          Best Hotel
                                                 confirmed at this time.
•      It is important to note that demand   has grown
                                           Currently     considerably
                                                     owned by SignatureinLiving.
                                                                          the cityLimited
                                                                                    and as the supply curve tails off
     2 rateTheandWaring
                  occupancy should63 settlework
                                            down   having aNo
                                                underway.   positive
                                                              openingeffect
                                                                        dateon these key
                                                                             confirmed  at metrics.
                                                                                               UG          2019
                                                 this time.
•      The economy is under pressure.SmallThe impact of Brexit
                                               independent     on staff,
                                                           boutique      skills
                                                                     hotel,     and consumers may have a
                                                                            possibly
     3 dramatic effect on Belfast17and the
          Bank Square                      wider
                                         now     NIaccommodation.
                                             guest  market.         Initial work           4         2019
                                                 started, opening in 2019.
•     The list of new hotels is 143
                                by no means exhaustive and may alter as consumer trends and business needs
      evolve.
Table 2a: Possible Belfast Hotel Openings in 2019 – currently under construction
Table 3. Belfast Hotel Stock Analysis to 2019 (includes constructed projects only)

    Grade                            2017                   2019                  2017                   2019                  Change
                                    Hotels                 Hotels                Rooms                  Rooms
    Four/Five Star                    17                     18                   1,906                  3,119                   +64%
    Three Star                         11                     10                    930                    715                   -23%
    Budget                             7                       9                    864                   1,183                  +37%
    Ungraded/Awaiting                  3                       2                    122                     97                   -20%
    Totals                             38                     42                   3,822                  5,114                  +34%

It is important
Table             to note
       3: Belfast Hotel   thatAnalysis
                        Stock  two hotels,  Titanic
                                       to 2019      Hotelconstructed
                                               (includes  and Bullitt,projects
                                                                       openedonly)
                                                                               in 2016.
                                                                                 When you add this room
stock, as well as The Flint and easyHotel (which are not certified as hotels), you effectively have an increase
of 44% in overall rooms in a 26-month period.

The Northern Ireland Picture

Expansion beyond Belfast has also slowed down. Those listed below in Table 4 are either open or due to
come to market 2019 and will add 680 rooms to the region’s hotel stock.

       The information in this report is Copyright to Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. No reproduction without appropriate credit.

       The information in this report is Copyright to Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. No reproduction without appropriate credit.
Table 2B. Longer term prospects – these could change, some have been proposed for a considerable
period of time and all may not proceed

  No     Name                          Rooms        Detail                                                                      Grade
                                                    Project with Urban spa and 21 more rooms. Plan
   1     The Fitzwilliam                  21                                                                                       5
                                                    under review.
                                                    Aloft Hotel by Serrafin Hotels with a plan to open in
   2     Titanic Quarter                  280                                                                                      4
                                                    2021.
         Titanic
                                                    Planning granted for two buildings (155 + 120)
   3     Quarter/Plater’s                 275                                                                                      3
                                                    bedrooms, possible South Yard Hotel.
         Yard
         Wellington Park
   4                                      92        Replacement of existing hotel in new development.                              3
         Hotel
                                                    Development by McAleer & Rushe. Recommended
   5     Corporation Street               250       for approval, having been originally proposed in                              3/4
                                                    2008. In BCC planning process.
                                                    Redevelopment of Royal Avenue/Donegall St area.
   6     Royal Exchange                   140                                                                                      ?
                                                    Part of larger project.
                                                    New scheme from the team behind Galgorm
   7     St Jude’s Church                 18                                                                                       4
                                                    approvals for planning.
         6-8 Queen Street +
                                                    McAleer & Rushe part of multi-use development at
   8     Norwich Union                    180                                                                                      ?
                                                    proposal stage.
         House
   9     Odyssey Plaza                    420       Outline Planning granted.                                                      ?
                                                    Part of multi-site development now called The
  10     Sirocco Quay                     100                                                                                      ?
                                                    Waterside.
         Crumlin Road Court
  11                                      161       Site now up for sale.                                                          3
         House
                                                    Been on the cards for a while - supposedly due to
                                                    start this year. Could be another Accor product to
  12     Fanum House                      173                                                                                      3
                                                    complement the ETAP - was originally planned as a
                                                    Novotel. Being developed by South Bank Square.
                                                    Conversion of warehouse in Cathedral Quarter by
  13     Donegall Street                  40        team behind Benedict’s. Now approved for Planning                              4
                                                    – no date given.
         Kings Hall                                 Part of larger redevelopment scheme submitted for
  14                                      160                                                                                      4
         Wellbeing                                  planning in December 2017.
  15     Malone Lodge                     20        Addition of 20 rooms.                                                          4
         Benedict’s
  16                                      24        Awaiting planning - will add to existing property.                            4/5
         Extension
  17     The Mission Hotel                48        Now progressing to planning with an £8.5m hotel.                               4
                                                    Boutique conversion of listed building on Queen St
  18     The Marquis                      78
                                                    currently being submitted for planning.
                                                    Prince’s Building site at Tipsy Bird recently
  19     Glendola/Carlton                TBC        purchased with view to upper 4-star hotel
                                                    development.
                                                    Development of Boutique Warehouse property by
  20     Hill Street                      17
                                                    Ducales Group.
                                                    Oakland Holding planning an aparthotel in Belfast
  21     Lyndon Court                     184                                                                                    TBC
                                                    City Centre.
                                                    A hotel and apartment development (87 rooms plus
  22     Ten Square West                  82
                                                    46 plus workspace).
                                                    A hotel and apartment development (82 rooms plus
  23     Ten Square South                 87
                                                    26 aparthotel plus workspace).
                                         2850

Table 2b: Longer term prospects – these could change and all may not proceed

       The information in this report is Copyright to Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. No reproduction without appropriate credit.

                                                                                                      Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland   7
Table 4. Northern Ireland Planned Opening in 2019

   No      Name                           Rooms         Detail                                                                Grade
                                                        Construction underway and due to open in Q3
    1      Lisburn Square                    52                                                                                 3/4
                                                        2019.
    2      Premier Inn, Bangor               85         Under construction with projected opening in 2019.                       3
                                                        Derry-Londonderry. Under construction, backed by
    3      Holiday Inn Express               159        Duddy Group. 119 opening Q2, additional 40 rooms                         3
                                                        to be added to plan.
    4      Killeavy Castle Hotel             46         Opened in Spring 2019.                                                   4
                                                        Ballycastle, solar-powered hotel and chalet village
    5      The Salthouse                     24         proposed for North Coast. Development underway
                                                        and should be in market June 2019.
                                                        Ballymena property proposing new spa and hotel
    6      Tullyglass                        45                                                                                  4
                                                        room project.
           Londonderry Arms,                            Andras House scheme, planning approved and
    7                                        87                                                                                 3/4
           Portrush                                     hoping to open in 2019.
    8      Leighmor, Ballymena               12         Additional room capacity and refurbishment.                              4
           Marine Hotel,                                Additional rooms already open with spa &
    9                                        10                                                                                  3
           Ballycastle                                  restaurant in a £1m project.
   10      Premier Inn, Lisburn              51         Extension to existing property.                                          4
           Premier Inn, Belfast                         Approved and due to open in 2019 by Moorefield
   11                                        81                                                                              Budget
           International Airport                        Construction.
   12      Bayview Hotel                     20         Extension to North Coast property – open in Q2.                          3
   13      Millbrook Hotel                    6         Addition of 6 POD’s at hotel site in Ballynahinch.
   14      Premier Inn Larne                 18         Extension to existing property.
                                             696

  The4:14Possible
Table     projects  above Ireland
                  Northern are currently due to complete
                                  Hotel openings     in 2019. However, prudent forecasting would suggest
                                                 in 2019
 that some of them may continue in 2020. Planning and finance are proving to be the biggest challenges for
 hotel development outside Belfast and there are concerns that projects may not be viable due to on-going
 delays and uncertainty.

 In addition to new builds, there are a number of other projects of note. These include the upgrading and
 refurbishment of the Dunadry Hotel, hoping to achieve four-star status when their bedroom revamp is
 completed. The sales of the Templeton Hotel to the Galgorm Resort & Spa owners with a view to upgrade
 and reposition the property and the possible sale of the Hilton Templepatrick which may also rebrand on
 completion.

        The information in this report is Copyright to Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. No reproduction without appropriate credit.
Northern Ireland
Growth outside Belfast is well underway, albeit at a slower pace
than has happened in the city.

Expansion beyond Belfast has also slowed           currently being discussed. It is unlikely that
down. Those listed below in Table 4 are either     these will come to market before 2020.
open or due to come to market 2019 and will
add 680 rooms to the region’s hotel stock.         North Coast
                                                   Planning continues to be the impetus to hotel
The 14 projects above are currently due            development in this region. A substantial
to complete in 2019. However, prudent              amount of new product in non-hotel categories
forecasting would suggest that some of them        has come into the market: self-catering, guest
may continue in 2020. Planning and finance         accommodation and high-end guesthouses
are proving to be the biggest challenges for       have all opened. A number of them are hoping
hotel development outside Belfast and there        to capitalise on the opportunity that The Open
are concerns that projects may not be viable       will bring in 2019 and build on the golfing
due to on-going delays and uncertainty.            legacy this should create.

In addition to new builds, there are a number      Newry, Mourne & Down
of other projects of note. These include the       Some progress on a couple of projects in this
upgrading and refurbishment of the Dunadry         area. Killeavy Castle has now opened, and the
Hotel, hoping to achieve four-star status when     Downpatrick Hotel and Newcastle Promenade
their bedroom revamp is completed. The sales       have progressed to consultation. Other
of the Templeton Hotel to the Galgorm Resort       projects are still possible in this area with a
& Spa owners with a view to upgrade and            number of investors holding back until there is
reposition the property and the possible sale      a clear picture on Brexit.
of the Hilton Templepatrick which may also
rebrand on completion.                             Northern Ireland (regional excluding Belfast)
                                                   The number of new projects coming into
The projects above are those in the public         the public domain has slowed. Many are not
realm and a number may not proceed. There          yet in the public domain but with over 1,000
are a number of other projects not in the          bedrooms in planning, growth will continue,
public domain which may replace them.              albeit at a reduced pace. Some of this may be
                                                   stalled reaching the market after 2021.
Below is a brief synopsis of activity by region:

Derry-Londonderry
A reasonable performance last year. A number
of security issues impacting on business this
year, but rate and occupancy have held up. The
city has 685 rooms with opening of the Phase
1 Holiday Inn Express; this number will increase
to 804, which may impact trade in the off
season.

There is no date for the development at
Ebrington and a number of other projects are

                                                                       Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland   9
Table 5. Northern Ireland Proposed Developments – likely to open beyond 2019

   No       Name                           Rooms         Detail                                                                Grade
                                                         Lough Road Lurgan. Planning renewal for site
    1       Silverwood Hotel                  120                                                                                 4
                                                         already earmarked for hotel.
            Castle Street,                               Tender issued by council for hotel project with up to
    2                                         100
            Lisburn                                      100 rooms.
            Merrow Hotel and                             Held up due to difficulties with planning and in
    3                                         119                                                                                 4
            Spa, Portstewart                             judicial review.
            The Dunluce Resort                           Removed from planning and revised scheme due to
    4                                         115                                                                                4/5
            & Spa                                        be submitted in 2019.
            Atlantic Hotel
    5                                         43         Planning granted for a 43-bedroom extension.                             4
            Portrush
                                                         Upgrade of B&B/Self Catering Operation on the
    6       Causeway Tavern                   24                                                                                  4
                                                         North Coast.
                                                         Luxury product with golf courses. Granted planning
    7       Hillsborough Hotel                156                                                                                 4
                                                         in September 2016 but now back for changes.
    8       Inver River Hotel                 24         Boutique Hotel Development in Larne.

                                                         Independent boutique hotel with planning for 91
    9       Ebrington Square                  91
                                                         bedrooms in Derry-Londonderry.
                                                         Planning approved for Elm Village to develop
   10       Foyle Street                      24
                                                         Boutique Hotel project.
   11       Downpatrick Hotel                 51         Currently in planning consultation.
                                                         Development of site on the Central Promenade with
    12      Newcastle Prom                    41
                                                         rooftop bar.
            Seven Hills Hotel &                          Relaunch and expansion of 50-bedroom hotel that
   13                                         100                                                                                4/5
            Spa, Rostrevor area                          was granted planning in 2011.
                                                         New project to regenerate Bangor centre to include
            Queens Parade
   14                                         120        a hotel run by Beannchor – larger hotel now
            Bangor
                                                         proposed.
            Newry Boutique                               Lodged with planning in September 2017. £3.4m
   15                                         32                                                                                  4
            Hotel                                        project.
            St Anne, Dungannon                           Recently announced and going to planning,
   16       Project mixed with                 0         developed by Moorefield Construction with a hotel
            Retail                                       as part of scheme.
                                                         Extension to existing property current in early
   17       Westville Hotel                   30                                                                                  4
                                                         stages of development.
                                                         Continued plans for this site with additional
   18       Galgorm Resort                    60
                                                         bedrooms, bar and restaurant development.
            Unipork Site,
   19                                         65         Bedrooms and cinema site in Enniskillen.
            Enniskillen
   20       Premier Inn, Bangor               18         Extension to existing property.
                                             1333

Table 5: Northern Ireland Proposed Developments – likely to open beyond 2019
 The projects above are those in the public realm and a number may not proceed. There are a number of
 other projects not in the public domain which may replace them

 Below is a brief synopsis of activity by region:

 Derry-Londonderry

 A reasonable performance last year. A number of security issues impacting on business this year, but rate
 and occupancy have held up. The city has 685 rooms with opening of the Phase 1 Holiday Inn Express; this
 number will increase to 804, which may impact trade in the off season.

         The information in this report is Copyright to Northern Ireland Hotels Federation. No reproduction without appropriate credit.
Conclusion
Brexit, a massive increase in supply and a political vacuum are just some of
the challenges that need to be resolved for the industry to thrive.

Hotel expansion has slowed down throughout                the present time, this could present a real
Northern Ireland since 2018 with very few                 problem going forward. Current levels
projects still in construction. It is likely that a       would suggest an additional 1,500 staff are
couple of new developments will start in 2019             needed at a minimum. Lack of staff and the
and the market will seek to rebalance itself to           increasing level of skills required are also
accommodate new stock added over the last                 leading to considerable wage inflation.
two years.
                                                      •   Civil Unrest – recent incidents led to some
Point of note:                                            cancellations and negative PR.
• Brexit – remains high on the agenda
   with no clear pathway at this stage. The           •   Capacity – visitor flow and high demand at
   economy has slowed in Northern Ireland                 visitor attractions is starting to present a
   with concerns about staffing still prevalent.          real challenge at the peak times. Negative
                                                          reports on this in the media are causing
•   Competition – a considerable number                   concerns.
    of rooms are available in other
    accommodation categories. Student                 •   Dublin – Dublin continues to maintain
    accommodation, guest accommodation                    a high rate with a couple of concerns
    and self-catering are all on the increase.            emerging on occupancy and rate pressure.
    Platforms such as Airbnb are also causing
    disruption in the market.                         •   Business Tourism – limited activity with
                                                          little business predicted for 2019. Growth
•   Demand – it is important to note that                 in this sector imperative not only weekend
    demand throughout Northern Ireland for                v weekday occupancy but to address ADR
    hotel rooms has grown in 2019. Forecasts              and RevPAR figures.
    suggest that this pattern will continue.
                                                      •   Exchange Rate – the continued weakness
•   Expansion – the industry is seeing the                of Sterling has served the industry well in
    effects of rapid growth concentrated into             terms of value but the flip side of this is
    a short timeframe. Pressure on rate and               that goods and services from the Eurozone
    occupancy in Belfast is likely to continue            have increased in price.
    for the remainder of the year.
                                                      •   Inflation & Economic Growth – inflation
•   Staffing – still remains a high priority. A           remains low with economic outlook being
    broad-brush metric is that each additional            revised downwards as the uncertainty of
    hotel room requires ONE additional                    Brexit erodes business confidence.
    employee. Given the shortage of staff at

                                                                         Hotel Expansion in Northern Ireland   11
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