Simply Rod! Brian Claridge
Your chance to land pop legend Mick Hucknall’s sprawling f ishing estate
HE MADE his name singing Money’ s Too Tight ( To Mention). But although Simply Red star Mick Hucknall has since amassed a fortune during a 30-year pop career, he is now selling his £2.2 million estate in Ireland – because he just does not have enough time to enjoy it.
Hucknall bought the Glenmore Rivers Estate, which nestles at the foot of the Blue Stack Mountains in County Donegal, with former bandmate Chris De Margary 12 years ago.
Visitors to Glenmore have permission to stalk red deer and shoot for duck, woodcock and snipe on its 19,000 acres, while the estate is famous for its salmon and sea trout fishing.
The estate, which has a five- bedroom shooting lodge, was bought for €1.3 million (about £1.1 million) by the singer and De Margary so that they could indulge their passion for fishing.
Some people might be surprised to learn that Hucknall is a keen angler, but he has cast his line all over the world.
‘My favourite countries for fishing include Ireland, Canada, Iceland and Norway,’ he says. ‘ The wonderful thing about flyfishing is that it helps you to forget about all the troubles in the world. There’s nothing more relaxing.’
The lodge is just 90 yards from the River Finn. The property boasts an open- plan dining room, living room and kitchen, with exposed beams, a wood-burning stove, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a drawing room that Hucknall and De Margary have furnished in the style of a hunting lodge.
Three of the five bedrooms are double, and two have en suite bathrooms. There’s also a detached rod-and-gun room.
‘In terms of fishing, the River Finn is probably one of the best facilities in Ireland, with bridges, pools and stepping stones from which fishermen can cast their lines,’ says Glenmore manager Jarlath Winters.
He adds: ‘I love watching the surprised reactions from guests when they catch their first salmon.’
The River Finn benefits from regular rainfall throughout the season, resulting in strong runs of fish and providing anglers with excellent sport during the spring and summer months. Hucknall and De Margary have been keen fishermen for about 20 years, but there was also a less indulgent reason for them buying the estate.
‘We felt it was a philanthropic opportunity to raise the profile of north-western Ireland, and to take on the ecological challenges of maintaining and increasing the wild salmon and sea trout population,’ Hucknall says.
SINCE the musicians bought the estate, it has gained an international reputation and attracted visitors from all over the world, taking advantage of the fact that although Glenmore appears very remote, Belfast is only a two-hour drive away, and Dublin just three hours.
‘It’s been a great honour to care for the glorious River Finn,’ says Hucknall. ‘However, Chris and I feel that now is the right time to pass the baton to someone who will gather enormous satisfaction from keeping the river in its pristine condition.’
Hucknall spends most of his time in England with his partner, Gabriella Wesberry, and their ten-year-old daughter, Romy. He also has a vineyard in Catania, Sicily, where he produces wines under the label Il Cantante (The Singer).
‘Mick and Chris have enjoyed the estate over the years but they don’t feel they are spending as much time there lately, due to other commitments,’ says Pat O’Hagan, Savills’ regional sales manager in Dublin.