COUPLES WHO WERE left in limbo after the closure of a Tipperary hotel where they were due to have their wedding -  have been told that their receptions will be honoured.

Aherlow House Hotel has been sold to Dublin hotel operator Adrian Shanagher who says he is committed to honouring all future weddings that were booked with the previous tenant company.

Around forty couples, who had paid deposits ranging from €1,500 – €3,000, were left scrambling for a new wedding venue when the hotel suddenly closed on 9 February.

The sale, confirmed by receivers Grant Thornton, comes a week after the closure.

Shanagher confirmed that he will offer couples full credit against their future wedding cost in Aherlow House Hotel for any deposits they lost with the previous operator, Auburn Hotels (Aherlow) Limited.

The sale will also secure the employment of the 47 former employees of the hotel. The new owner now plans to contact former employees and all those who have weddings booked directly as soon as possible.

We are delighted to have purchased Aherlow House Hotel and secured the future of the hotel for employees and wedding couples alike.

Shanagher is expected to immediately begin an investment and refurbishment programme at the property and expects to reopen to guests and patrons on 3 March 2016.

Read: ‘Obviously the brides are very distressed’: Hunt on for new wedding venues after hotel closure>