Irish Independent

He has kept family home and its scenic estate, complete with church, stables and woodlands

- Cormac McQuinn

GAVIN Duffy’s property empire may be gone, but one prime piece of real estate he has kept is Kilsharvan House in the rambling Co Meath countrysid­e.

The impressive property – which includes a stables, woodlands and a small church – is the Duffy family home.

It is also used by the presidenti­al hopeful and his wife Orlaith as a location for holding leadership training courses and team-building exercises as part of their consultanc­y business.

The estate is described in the promotiona­l material for their Kilsharvan Leadership Centre (KLC) as “a gem; one of those rare properties that combines accessibil­ity and modern amenities with an idyllic rural setting and an unrivalled ambiance”.

The scenic grounds and well-appointed rooms are put on display in several images on the company’s website.

There is a drawing room with a large piano and harp, a library, and a dining room with a table laden with glassware and place settings for 18 guests.

Exterior photograph­s show the main house, the church which is used as a small meeting space and “summer/ winter bar”, and a paddock where a horse is grazing.

There is also a Mill Building which “seats up to 120” for “cabaret/banquet”.

The website also features pictures of a team-building exercise involving birds of prey.

Records filed with the Registry of Deeds show that the couple bought Kilsharvan House and 37 acres of land in 1999.

Land Registry papers show that they added to the size of the estate in 2008 and in 2011.

The brochure for the KLC says it is set “on a secluded wooded estate of over 90 acres”.

It promises “superior facilities to deliver an unrivalled private and productive business environmen­t”.

It also says: “The KLC is the ideal place to find the motivation you need for you and your team.”

The brochure adds that “expert facilitato­rs Gavin Duffy or Orlaith Carmody will ensure your business meeting or conference is energetic, productive and enjoyable”.

 ??  ?? Above: presidenti­al hopeful Gavin Duffy and his wife Orlaith Carmody during Ladies Day at the Galway Races this week. Photo: Mark Condren. Below: Kilsharvan House. Below, right, from top, the library at the estate; the church and mill; the drawing room and the dining room
Above: presidenti­al hopeful Gavin Duffy and his wife Orlaith Carmody during Ladies Day at the Galway Races this week. Photo: Mark Condren. Below: Kilsharvan House. Below, right, from top, the library at the estate; the church and mill; the drawing room and the dining room
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