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Post by irish on Jun 3, 2007 4:50:03 GMT -5
do you remember this article from the Galway First website? World famous Ashford Castle is up for sale — but nobody knows yet how much it will cost. The luxorious hotel on the Mayo-Galway border has played host to US presidents and royalty over the years — and it was the venue for the weddings of stars such as Pierce Brosnan and Shane Filan. The hotel is currently owned by a consortium of Irish-American businessmen who bought it over a decade ago. However the financial consultancy group KPMG has now been asked to value the property as a number of large offers have been made for it. Galway property analysts feel that the castle, reputation, and lands will price it well in excess of €150 million. It costs up to €1,000 a night to stay in the hotel which straddles the county boundary. does anybody know how it ended?
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Post by Yuliya on Jun 3, 2007 10:50:19 GMT -5
Did you check eBay?
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Post by Ace on Jun 3, 2007 11:06:52 GMT -5
I haven't read about the sale but with a property that expensive and competing interests it might take some time to sell, and the owners might have decided to keep it.
In related Irish castle news:
Welcome to the Hotel Victorian Monstrosity
06/02/2007 03:18:47 AM EDT DAILY MAIL
IT HAS been variously described as a modest family mansion - at just 60,000sq ft - and a Victorian monstrosity.
Then this 14-bedroom Co. Wicklow castle became the centre of a celebrity bidding war as Brad Pitt, John Travolta and David Bowie jousted to buy the property.
But before long, just about anyone will be able to retreat within its walls for a break from the daily grind.
The stunning 19th-century Humewood Castle and grounds are to be transformed into a five-star hotel boasting 120 rooms and 89 holiday homes.
Low-key Galway property developer John Lally forked out E30million for the 450-acre Gothic revival mansion and estate last year.
This week he submitted a planning application to transform the stately home into a plush hotel with spa and golf course facilities and all the modern perks of a top-notch hotel.
The Kiltegan castle was first built for a Wicklow MP William Wentworth Fitzwilliam Hume Dick, in the 1860s.
It is difficult to believe that this magnificent Gothic pile was once described as a 'family mansion not above the average size' by its chief architect William White, given that it has a massive living space of 60,000sq ft.
The gargantuan property has not only withstood the test of time, it has survived rebel sieges, family feuds and cutting architectural criticisms when it went over budget.
For many years it lay in the hands of socialite Renata Coleman who used it as a setting for her famous polo matches and shooting parties for the rich and famous.
She snapped up the enchanting property in 1992 for a reported GBP850,000, making inroads into the legacy she inherited from her husband, Cecil.
Famously, when a friend first proposed that she buy the rundown castle from the late Madame 'Mimi' Hume-Weygand, the last of Hume Dick's line, she remarked: 'Forget it. I don't want to live in a Victorian monstrosity.' But when Mrs Coleman lay eyes on the spectacular estate she fell in love, and spent years restoring the castle to its original splendour.
She even turned it into a private fully staffed country hotel to fund the project, a facility that was frequented by famous guests such as the Spice Girls, who paid E10,000 a night for the privilege.
In 2000, Brad Pitt and his then girlfriend Jennifer Aniston stayed at the mansion and it was rumoured that the Hollywood couple were set to get into a bidding war with John Travolta.
But last year Lalco Developments, headed up by Mr Lally, purchased the property with a view to turning it into a stylish country hotel.
It has been subject to extensive renovations to reinforce its Victorian Gothic style over the years with modern perks such as central heating installed for the comfort of guests. The house features a vaulted, sandstone hall with four original stained-glass windows.
Entertaining was key in the design with the castle's fifth reception room featuring a double height panelled ballroom.
It also features a billiards room, gym, elaborate meeting rooms, restaurant dining room, tearooms, library and a bar.
According to the development company's website, Lalco plans to transform the estate into 'a truly international five-star resort destination'.
All the main bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and a two bedroom lodge is also situated on the lush green grounds.
Mr Lally's development company has already developed a string of four-star hotels under the Hilton group in Limerick, Kilmainham and Dublin.
A roadway system around the estate has already been enlarged, two extra manmade lakes have been created and acres of trees have been planted.
The picturesque setting has attracted several high-profile Hollywood films including The Actors starring Michael Cain and Laws Of Attraction featuring Pierce Brosnan.
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Post by sparklingblue on Jun 3, 2007 11:56:26 GMT -5
CG and I don't have that kind of money. ;D
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Post by Myrtle Groggins on Jun 24, 2007 1:43:43 GMT -5
I put in my bid for Ashford. It's a steele at any price.
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Post by curious george on Nov 17, 2007 16:35:11 GMT -5
Sounds like there would be plenty of room if we wanted to split the $$ and all live there.
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Post by Yuliya on Nov 17, 2007 20:59:24 GMT -5
The commute would be hell, though.
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Post by curious george on Nov 18, 2007 17:37:52 GMT -5
Guess I'll have to move in for good, then.
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Post by sparklingblue on Nov 19, 2007 4:15:41 GMT -5
I'll move in too. Ireland doesn't have snow.
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Post by steeleinc on Nov 19, 2007 10:42:58 GMT -5
Yes, Ireland does have snow. And, of course, lots and lots of rain.
Debra
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Post by sparklingblue on Nov 19, 2007 12:03:33 GMT -5
I know, but Debra, it's nothing compared to where I live.
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Post by Yuliya on Nov 20, 2007 11:10:29 GMT -5
I meant daily commute. Of course, those of you who are retired or thinking of retiring don't have to worry about it. What's wrong with snow? It's falling right now. Very pretty. I will not be moving to Ireland. I did, however, like London and Germany, and maybe one day I will visit Germany or Switzerland around Christmas time... <insert that dreamy winky some posters need when they're thinking of PB's good looks...>
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Post by londonstreet on Nov 21, 2007 9:27:49 GMT -5
I WANT snow....at least around Christmas time..... For me moving to London is a dream, Ireland is ok, Germany would be a good choice if only I could remember more than 3 words after a 3 years studying German....Switzerland is too near to where I live to want to move there I guess. I think a commute at Ashford Castle wouldn't be so bad, it's not like in Friends with only few rooms.....at Ashford would be plenty of room for anyone
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Post by Yuliya on Nov 21, 2007 10:24:59 GMT -5
I think there's a slight misunderstanding here. By daily commute I meant time one spends every day getting (driving, riding, walking, flying) to work and back. Unless one is willing to become a rural worker, farmer, gardener, cleaning person, or work from home, one will have a loooong drive to work and back. On the wrong side of the road, too!
Personally, I like places that offer the change of seasons. 4 seasons. Snow in the winter and foliage turn are a must. And somehow, Ireland just doesn't appeal to me all that much over all...
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Post by sparklingblue on Nov 21, 2007 14:11:15 GMT -5
I don't mind to look at the snow. It can look kind of pretty. But getting out into it in the grey hours of the morning (as it were) to get to work is not so much fun. Also, the cold outside and heating inside dry out my skin. (I know, Carly Simon made a song about people like me. )
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Post by Yuliya on Nov 21, 2007 15:43:57 GMT -5
Cold outside and heating inside dry everybody's skin. Try moisturizing creams and a humidifier, at least in the bedroom. And a bath with bath oil really helps, too, although it does leave the bathtub in need of clearning. (All of the above is to be taken as a friendly advice only - works for me, so I thought I'd share.)
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Post by sparklingblue on Nov 23, 2007 11:24:15 GMT -5
Thanks for your advice. I went and bought a good moisturizer, and that is a real relief.
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Post by johnnytodd on Nov 24, 2007 7:49:22 GMT -5
Ah well, but better snow and minus degrees than the muddy and grey weather we nowadays seem to have in winter time.... (though I could gladly do without that amount of snow we had two years ago in the south of Germany) I agree with you, Yuliya, a change of seasons is definitely better than the same weather all over the year. Commuting wouldn't be too much fun, so I think I'd buy that castle as a weekend and holiday home *saying that and going off to try my luck at the lottery tonight, hoping to win that € 26 million jackpot*
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Post by bsddomi on Mar 17, 2008 16:17:46 GMT -5
I would love to go back to Ireland. You know I used to live and work in Ireland for almost a year. It does rain a lot, yes, but it also doesn't get very cold. I remember walking around town with mild temperatures in October and I liked the palm trees in the street. I got to travel a lot while I was in Ireland. I lived in Dublin and I especially loved the Galway, Shannon area. Ashford Castle is really nice, I agree we should all move in there... Party!!!
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Post by sparklingblue on Mar 18, 2008 13:50:40 GMT -5
You actually lived in Ireland? How swell! I am envious!
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