THE Fitzpatrick hotel group is to convert the former Ansbacber building on Lower Leeson Street in Dublin into a hotel.

The move is part of a £10 million building and upgrading programme which the group is carrying out in Ireland.

The hotel will open in 1998 and will create 100 jobs, according to Fitzpatricks, which currently employs 600 people.

It is understood that Fitzpatricks paid around £3 million for the Ansbacher building.

Meanwhile, the group has been given the go ahead to proceed with a 40 bedroom extension at the Castle Hotel in Killiney, Dublin.

It also owns hotels in Bunratty, Cork and New York.