Samantha McCaughren
Lifting the lid on Irish business in her new column
IRISH horseracing tycoon John Magnier has grand plans for the Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary and an adjoining bar which he bought late last year.
I see the first leg of his development project has been given the go-ahead. However, the Department of Arts and Heritage has attached several conditions to the work, which takes place in one of Ireland’s most historically significant areas.
Magnier and his co-investor, named in local press as Chinese businessman Teo Ah Khing, of the China Horse Club, are starting with the neighbouring pub, M Ryan’s, which boasts an extensive beer garden.
They intend to convert outbuildings into a modern dining area, complete with new kitchens and facilities. An archaeologist will have to be appointed to monitor the works, particularly the removal of plaster, masonry and timber.
Should medieval structures or features be uncovered, the developers may be required to redesign to allow for “preservation in situ of all or part of the building”, the Department of Arts and Heritage said.
The development of M Ryan’s is the smaller part of Magnier’s development plans.
His real prize is Cashel Palace, which dates from 1730 and was once home to racing legend Vincent O’Brien. Trevester, Magnier’s vehicle, bought it for €2.5m.
The former Archbishop’s residence was opened as a luxury hotel in 1962 by Lord Brocket, who at the time also owned Carton House in Co Kildare. Visitors to the hotel have included Jacqueline Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
It currently has 21 rooms, but the plan is to expand it into a 60-room hotel, which will cater for weddings. Magnier believes it will need to be extended in order to be commercially viable.
Trish Conroy, acting on behalf of the owners, said earlier this year: “This is not an elitist property, our doors will be open to everyone.”
The owners plan significant investment and the extension will be sensitively designed, with hopes that it will not end up with An Bord Pleanala. No doubt the department will be watching closely.