World's super-rich bargain hunters home in on historic Irish mansions

Claire Murphy

HOUSE hunters from the far and Middle East are lining up to purchase two of Ireland's key heritage homes.

Palmerstown House, once owned by Jim Mansfield, and Stacumny House, the home of the late Ryanair owner Tony Ryan, are both on the market with estate agents Knight Frank.

The Kildare estates are being viewed as potential investments for international buyers and expats who want to return home.

Estate agent Robert Ganly told the Herald: "We have had very considerable enquiries from all over the world. There are buyers from Ireland, America, Germany, the Far East and the Middle East interested."

Eight-bedroom Stacumny House was home to Danielle Ryan, her husband Richard Bourke and their two children. Her late father Cathal was left the 1700 pile by his father, Ryanair founder Tony Ryan.

The house is listed on the market for €4.7m -- down from €6.5m -- and comes complete with its own pub called 'Ryan's Snug'.

Palmerstown House, on 226 acres of golf course and 393 of farmland, was purchased in 1999 by Mansfield who aimed to create a premier golf resort with a private hotel -- but it has since fallen into the hands of NAMA.

The €12m Johnstown property has three large lobbies, a boardroom, two bar rooms, two function rooms, three separate commercial kitchens and no less than six offices.

"Ireland is viewed as good value, especially in property," said Mr Ganly.

clairemurphy@herald.ie