K Club on the market for €80m
THE owner of the prestigious K Club hotel and golf resort has begun the process of selling the 550acre luxury property.
Businessman Michael Smurfit, 81, said the decision to sell the 134-bedroom hotel resort is because of his advancing years. ‘I will be very sad to see the K Club sold or part of it sold. I have had very many happy times there with my family and friends.
‘It has been a big part of my life, but I am spending more time overseas these days,’ he told the Sunday Business Post. ‘We have decided to do this because of my advancing years.’
Mr Smurfit purchased the resort in 2005 with developer Gerry Gannon, buying out his partner after the crash.
The resort is located in Straffan, Co. Kildare, and boasts two golf
courses, both designed by legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. In 2006, it hosted the Ryder Cup.
Mr Smurfit said there had already been significant interest in the resort, which he says cost €200million to build. It is reportedly on the market for €80million.
Last week, the High Court heard claims from former K Club catering manager Peter Curran that he was threatened by a ‘messenger of Michael Smurfit’ over concerns he had previously raised about the way the resort was run. This included an allegation by him that apartments in the resort were rented to call girls and paid for by the K Club. The allegations are strongly contested. The case continues tomorrow.