Irish village once owned by Ryanair founder on sale for €20M
An 18th-century Irish village that was once the home of Ryanair’s founder has hit the market for €20 million (£17.5 million).
A historic property spanning 20 acres in Celbridge, Lyons Village has 47 bedrooms, a library, a billiards room and a pub.
It also houses a five-star hotel, which includes cottages, an award-winning spa and a variety of dining and entertainment venues, all of which are part of the sale.
David Byrne of Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty said: “Opportunities to purchase an entire historic freehold village are extremely rare. “The care, vision and passion put into the restoration and development has created a truly remarkable property and makes this a truly unrivaled proposition in the Irish market.
“The buyer is likely to be an ultra-high net worth individual who sees this as a truly unique Irish property, a hospitality destination or a long-term heritage investment where there is potential to develop the property to its full potential in the future.”
Located in rural Kildare, the village is just 30 minutes’ drive from central Dublin.
The property is accessed via a secure tree-lined street and is complete with gardens, orchards, a lake and stables.
It was developed as a thriving milling village by the canal in the 18th and 19th centuries and is located next to the early medieval royal site of Lyons Hill, which served as the residence of the Kings of Leinster from the 760s AD.
The flour mill that once stood on the property was operated by Joseph P. Shackleton, a relative of the famous Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. It was later converted into a roller mill before burning.
The 1821 census recorded 79 houses and 102 families in the village. At its peak, ninety barges were passing by carrying flour, local produce and stone from the nearby Ardclough quarries to Dublin.
The property was purchased and restored in 1992 by Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan, who said: “Places like this have deep roots that reach not only into the cultural layers that have shaped their designs and creations over the centuries, but also into the life of the community that continues to enjoy this landscape.”
His family still owns a mansion in the village and this is not included in the sale.
In 2016, Irish financier Barry O’Callaghan bought the property and began running boutique countryside resort Cliff in Lyons.
“Opportunities to acquire an entire historic village are almost unheard of. The Village at Lyons offers a unique chance to preserve a piece of Ireland’s cultural and architectural heritage whilst shaping its next chapter,” the listing said.
“Whether envisioned as a private estate of exceptional exclusivity, a flagship leisure centre, global leadership wellness or creative retreat or a long-term heritage investment, this exceptional property offers a truly unique proposition in the Irish market.”
