The Taoiseach interrupted his holiday in Co Kerry yesterday, to visit a new hotel and wedding venue in Sneem.
Mr Ahern said the hotel and function rooms, which would open next March, were "great for the area" and would provide some 50 jobs.
The Taoiseach, who stays every year at nearby Parknasilla Great Southern with his daughters, is a familiar figure in the village, where he goes for lunch each day.
"I have been coming here for 20 years," he said yesterday.
With the Great Southern at Parknasilla for sale, the promoters of the new hotel were yesterday harbouring high hopes of accommodating Mr Ahern next year.
The hotel and function room, a design and build project by Dublin company ABM design, is built in an arc around the tidal estuary. It is being financed by Sneem native and Dublin businessman Louis Moriarty.
Mr Moriarty said yesterday Mr Ahern was "very much part of the village here", adding that people knew when to talk to him and when to leave him alone.
Mr Ahern will again interrupt his holidays to support Dublin in their All Ireland quarter final clash with Westmeath on Saturday.
He will return to west Kerry to continue his holidays in the kingdom next week, he said.
He shook hands with site workmen at the hotel yesterday, joking "Up Kerry, Up the kingdom".
