An extremely attractive and magical 18^th-century castle gloriously positioned within private parkland that enjoys a prominent position overlooking the sea and up the estuary to Courtmacsherry Bay and just 18-minute drive from fashionable Kinsale town. In all about 56 acres (23 Hectares). 6-receptions, 9-bedrooms, 6-bathrooms.

 

Pastoral views over undulating countryside combine gloriously with expansive sea views to give impressive and panoramic vistas from the castle and grounds. A tree lined avenue provides a magical approach, from where a stone arch leads to an inner courtyard. Attractive stone walls providing an extremely pleasant aesthetic. The house is presented in superb condition and is simply magical, the symmetrical five-bay original Georgian house wonderfully augmented by the 19^th-century castellated tower and battlemented parapet walls to create a beautifully attractive and fun house.

 

The accommodation is well laid out and updated to readily allow comfortable living, seamlessly incorporating modern convenience whilst retaining fantastic historical character. The reception rooms are impressive with large windows and generous ceiling heights and link excellently to allow superb entertaining yet are each of a scale to be comfortable. The generous kitchen with the wonderfully large table is a great space and superbly designed to allow congenial informal gathering for family and guests. There are ample bedroom suites, and the first-floor sunroom conservatory is exceptional.

 

The original L-Shaped Stable yard has been carefully upgraded and features a modern self-contained 3 Bedroom Caretakers residence, 3 well appointed loose boxes and an abundance of overhead lofted storage – itself ripe for further conversion if desired. This Ivy-clad local cut stone finish allows the building to blend seamlessly into the castellated surroundings with a traditional stone archway highlighting its period features.

 

The gardens and grounds are glorious. Extremely private and sheltered but with excellent sea views still afforded. A blend of formal terraces and manicured lawns within the immediate gardens into less formal gardens and the wider parkland works superbly. The use of manicured pathways throughout the parkland working extremely well to seamlessly link the gardens to the wider lands and providing highly useable walks. The outer coastal lands very much connect the estate to the sea and provide some lovely private coves and beaches. Coolmain beach is noted for its pristine powdery sand. Overall, the various component parts of the estate all combine to present a truly magical and attractive circa 56-acre estate.

 

Coolmain Castle has a rich and magical provenance and has been home to the Disney family for the past 35-years.  Purchased by Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and vice-charman of the Walt Disney Company, in 1989 and comprehensively restored and updated Coolmain Castle has been meticulously maintained ever since. Notable owners before the Disney’s have included The Honourable Henry Boyle Bernard, Thomas Wyse, Hibernicus Scott, the novelist Donn Byrne, photographer Bob Willougby ‘the man who virtually invented the photojournalistic motion picture still’ and most recently and fittingly the Disney family.

 

Dating to the early 18^th-century a magical fusion of various additions and amendments in keeping with changing architectural fashions over the preceding centuries presents a wonderfully textured and layered architecture that combined with the gloriously coloured local stone walls and being positioned in an extremely picturesque location, set overlooking the sea, makes Coolmain Castle truly authentic and attractive.

 

Positioned in the scenic and vibrant southwest of Ireland many thriving and bustling nearby coastal towns include popular Kinsale, a popular historic sailing town with a wide selection of fine restaurants, a deep-water harbour and the famed Old Head golf links. Walking trails, golfing and sailing amenity is in abundance. Cork city is within easy reach, just 27-miles or 44-km away and Cork International airport less than a 30-minute drive.

 

The castle is available fully furnished and with garden tools and equipment included.

Quoting Price €7,500,000.

 

Realwood Stair Solutions available in four colours and smooth transition from floor to stairs enhances the sense of light and space in your home

 

Mulveys, Ireland’s premium destination for bespoke wooden floors, has launched a new matching wooden floor and stairs range that allows home owners create a seamless wooden floor flow from their hallway, up their stair steps and onto the upstairs landing.

 

Available in a choice of four colours, ‘Realwood Stair Solutions’ are made from engineered oak and feature a brushed surface that highlights the natural grain and knots. The end result is a stylish cohesive flow between downstairs and upstairs, enhancing the sense of space and light throughout your home.

 

Realwood Stair Solutions are available in four timeless shades – Mountain Chalk Oak, Mountain Rustic Oak, Mountain Ridge Oak, and Mountain Mist Oak.

 

By combining natural beauty with modern elegance, the range adds warmth and distinctive character to any home. The stair solutions can be paired with deep, rich hues for a bold statement or soft, muted tones for a serene and understated entrance.

 

In addition to Realwood Stair Solutions, Mulveys also features 250 stunning flooring options in a variety of styles, making it one of Ireland’s largest collections of quality wooden flooring. The range includes everything from laminate and engineered to solid wood flooring, in various patterns such as plank, herringbone, and chevron.

 

Mulveys also specialises in premium quality door options to complement the flooring, as well as a selection of classic and stylish door handles and accessories – the perfect final touch for any hallway or landing.

 

Mulveys have showrooms in Dundrum Village Centre and Rathfarnham Shopping Centre

 

A team of experts are on hand in Mulveys stores to offer advice and guidance on all flooring, doors and accessories. They also offer an installation service, ensuring a seamless experience for customers from selection to completion.

Visit www.mulveys.com to learn more

 

Keep up to date with Mulveys on Facebook @mulveyshome and Instagram @mulveyshome

• Readers can sample all website content including extensive local and international news, superb interviews, groundbreaking investigations, unrivalled sports coverage and inspiring travel and home content

 

• The initiative, in association with Raisin Bank, will be supported by an extensive advertising campaign across radio and digital

 

The Sunday Times is removing the paywall on all content for two days this coming weekend to allow readers enjoy free access to world class journalism.

 

Over Saturday March 15^th and Sunday March 16^th,  readers will be able to sample all the premium content available on www.thesundaytimes.com website including the latest interviews with cultural icons and world leaders, groundbreaking investigations and unrivalled sports coverage, to inspiring travel and home content. Readers will also enjoy the latest analysis on the Taoiseach’s visit to the United States from The Sunday Times award winning team of journalists and reporters.

 

The ‘Open Weekend’ paywall removal initiative is in association with Raisin Bank, who will engage in a takeover of the homepage on the website across the weekend.

 

Laurie Kelly, Group Marketing Manager of News Ireland, says the initiative will be supported by an extensive advertising campaign: “We are looking forward to opening up The Sunday Times website for Irish readers this weekend, particularly as it’s been a very exciting week politically with the Taoiseach’s visit to the United States. This is a fantastic opportunity for new readers to experience the incredible award winning journalism and analysis generated by our dedicated team both at home and internationally. We are supporting this initiative with radio advertisements and a range of digital advertising across the weekend, as well as engagement via The Sunday Times’ newsletter and own other owned channel communications.’

 

To enjoy this weekend’s free access to

The Sunday Times, simply visit www.thesundaytimes.com

 

• More than half of those surveyed (51%) say they feel younger than their age – potentially overlooking their shingles risk¹

 

• Over half (52%) of those with co-morbidities or a compromised immune system have little or no knowledge about shingles¹

 

• 72% of respondents say they are under significant stress – which can further weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing shingles¹

 

• Globally, shingles will affect up to 1 in 3 people in their lifetime,² and its pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like²

 

• ‘Shingles Awareness Week Global Survey’ research unveiled to coincide with Shingles Awareness Week 2025 (24^th February – 2^nd March)¹

 

Half of Irish people aged between 50 – 60 say they don’t know much about shingles, according to new research conducted to coincide with Shingles Awareness Week 2025, which is taking place from 24^th February – 2^nd March.¹

 

Considering that over half (51%) of those surveyed also say that they feel younger than their age¹, a positive indicator of healthy ageing, this is a concern since 90% of adults carry the varicella zoster virus putting them at risk of shingles.² As immune function declines with age this virus, which remains dormant in the nervous system, can reactivate causing shingles.²

 

48% of respondents in the survey reported long-term health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic kidney disease¹. This may indicate that a large proportion of the population aged between 50 and 60 have a degree of immunocompromise which could place them at increased risk of shingles.

 

Despite that, just 9% say they are very concerned about contracting shingles, with 45% saying they are a little bit concerned, and 37% saying they are not at all concerned¹.

 

Only 24% of those surveyed are very aware of age-related diseases and take proactive steps to limit their impact, 55% are somewhat aware and try to stay healthy by taking some precautions, while 12% of respondents are not aware of any conditions that may affect them now or in the future¹.

 

In addition to age, pre-existing health conditions and ongoing medical treatment, stress and negative feelings such as loneliness and depression can further weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of developing shingles. 56% of respondents report that stress is affecting daily life, while 16% ‘struggle to cope most days’ and 2% are at ‘crisis level’¹, which may potentially increase their risk.

 

Over one quarter (28%) of Irish people are also not aware that you can develop shingles more than once and over four in ten (42%) did not know that blindness is a rare complication of shingles. Additionally, over four in ten (41%) incorrectly believe that shingles is contagious, while a quarter of people surveyed (25%) did not understand the link between chickenpox and shingles. 21% are also unaware that shingles can cause long-term nerve pain.⁴

 

One-in-three people who have had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles in their lifetime.² The disease, which typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen or face,⁵ is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like. Following the shingles rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and occasionally persist for several years. ^2, PHN occurs in around 20% of all shingles cases, with the over-50s particularly at risk.⁶ 10-15% of shingles cases can affect the eye which in some cases can result in serious eye complications.⁷

 

Eavan Daly, Country Medical Director at GSK Ireland, commented: “Many people have misunderstandings about shingles and are unaware of the risk factors linked to developing shingles., Shingles Awareness Week provides an opportunity to talk about shingles and address knowledge gaps about shingles risk, particularly among those who are aged 50 and over. Our data shows that many individuals in this age group underestimate their susceptibility to age-related diseases and are unaware of their potential risks. Shingles can have a severe impact on a person’s health and quality of life, particularly for those with existing long-term conditions, which continues to drive our efforts to raise awareness and encourage people to speak with their healthcare provider to learn more.”

 

GSK Ireland is also running a shingles disease awareness campaign across radio and social media in March and early April, encouraging people to speak to a healthcare professional or visit understandingshingles.ie to learn more about shingles.

 

www.understandingshingles.ie

 

 

About Shingles Awareness Week 

Shingles Awareness Week (24 February – 2 March 2025) is an annual global awareness week dedicated to addressing the lack of knowledge about the risks and severity of shingles. In collaboration with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), Shingles Awareness Week was set up to encourage informed conversations between adults, particularly if aged 50 and over, and their healthcare professionals about shingles.

 

About Shingles:

Shingles is most common in people +50 years of age and older, and those with a weakened immune system.

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. By age 50, VZV is present in almost all adults,² and may reactivate with advancing age. As people age, the strength of the immune system response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.

 

Shingles typically presents as a rash, with painful blisters across the chest, abdomen, or face.^2,5 The pain is often described as aching, burning, stabbing or shock-like.

 

Following the rash, a person can also experience post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting nerve pain that can last weeks or months and can occasionally persist for several years.² PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 20% of all shingles cases.⁶ 10-15% of shingles cases can involve the eye which can in turn lead to a range of serious eye complications.⁷

 

Shingles Awareness Week 2025 Global Survey

The Shingles Awareness Week Global Survey was conducted by Ipsos, on behalf of GSK.¹ The online research involved 8,400 adults aged 50-60, including 400 respondents from Ireland. Additional countries surveyed included: Brazil, China, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and USA. The survey was undertaken in 10 languages.¹

 

This survey was developed to explore perceptions of ageing in adults aged 50-60, and their understanding of how age-related decline in immune function may affect their bodies’ ability to protect them from infection and disease, like shingles. Data was collated from 10 questions covering shingles awareness, age-related decline in immunity, chronic conditions and healthy ageing. Participants committed to full transparency regarding data monitoring and the use of their anonymised data.¹

 

The Shingles Awareness Week Global Survey was commissioned and funded by GSK.

 

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.

 

About GSK Ireland

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. We have a long heritage in Ireland, operating here for almost 100 years. Today, our Dublin headquarters is home to our commercial business. Through our sales, marketing, market access and medical teams, we make a range of over 100 prescription medicines and vaccines available to adults in Ireland. Find out more at gsk.com/en- gb/locations/ireland/

• 55% of licensed premises transactions were completed off-market, accounting for 37% of total value

 

• Private equity re-emerged as a significant purchaser class with three transactions accounting for 39% of the total market value in 2024

 

• Staffing remains a significant concern for licensed premises, with the rise in minimum wage increasing costs for operators

 

 

 

Twenty pubs were sold in Dublin during 2024 with a total market value of approximately €69.6 million, a significant increase from 2023 when the same number of sales generated €47.3 million, according to Lisney, Ireland’s largest independently-owned multi-disciplinary property advisory company.

 

A total of 21 licensed premises were publicly offered for sale in Dublin during 2024, a notable reduction on the 34 offered publicly in 2023. Publicans remained the dominant purchaser class, accounting for 55% of volume and 37% of value. Developer activity also increased representing 20% of volume and 19% of value.

 

Despite accounting for only three transactions in 2024, private equity investments represented 39% of the total market value.

 

Of the properties publicly offered for sale in 2024, six were directly linked to challenges arising from the conclusion of the debt warehousing scheme. Operators faced a number of obstacles last year, many of which will persist into 2025, including the 6.2% increase in the minimum wage which has intensified financial pressures.

 

The main factors driving supply in 2024 were retirement and business realignment, with 80% of the sales completed publicly being retirement driven. By year-end, 9 pubs had sold publicly with a further 11 sales concluded off-market.

The full report can be read here: https://we.tl/t-Lx4Io5AjlD

 

DEMAND AND PURCHASER PROFILE

The 2024 licensed premises property market continued to witness strong internal demand, with established publicans maintaining their position as the dominant purchaser class. This group accounted for 55% of transaction volume and 37% of total value, demonstrating the sector’s resilience and the confidence of experienced operators within the market.

 

Notably, private equity re-emerged as a significant purchaser class. Despite accounting for only three transactions, private equity investments accounted for 39% of the total market value. Developer activity saw a significant increase in 2024, representing 20% of transaction volume and 19% of total value. This increased appetite from developers was largely driven by one key transaction, the Dunnes Stores acquisition of Union Café & Kennedys Bar for €7m.

 

Developer led acquisitions were solely restricted to large suburban sites in 2024. The consistent year-on-year increase in market activity over the past three years further underscores the robust purchaser confidence within the industry and reflects the appeal of well-positioned licensed premises.

 

ACTIVITY

Appetite remained for well-located Dublin city premises as illustrated by the sales of Bar Eile cornering Baggot Street and Mespil Road, Foley’s on Merrion Row, Cassidy’s on Westmoreland Street, Cassidy’s on Camden Street, McSorley’s Ranelagh, and Devitt’s on Camden Street. Of these six sales five transacted off market.

 

Off market activity again featured strongly in the licensed premises market in 2024, accounting for 55% of transaction volume and 76% of total value  These transactions underscore a growing preference for discreet sales processes, particularly for high profile premises for which there is known demand.

 

By year end there were a further 9 sales agreed which bodes well for early 2025 activity.

 

BUSINESS CHALLENGES

According to Lisney, challenges faced by the license premises sector during 2024 included staffing, rising utility costs, VAT on food sales, group debt warehousing and the availability of bank finance.

 

Lisney says the 6.2% increase in the national minimum wage to €13.50 in January 2025, alongside the introduction of additional labour-related measures such as statutory sick pay, increased public holidays, pension auto-enrolment and PRSI increases, has further contributed to the financial pressures faced by operators.

 

The VAT rate on the sale of alcohol has remained at 23% and the VAT rate on food at 13.5%, despite the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) lobbying the government for a return to the 9% rate on food sales in an effort to protect jobs.

 

Whilst many licensed premises that enjoyed viable business models with reasonable future trading prospects continued to trade successfully, there were some unavoidable casualties, primarily stemming from the ending of the debt warehousing scheme in May 2024.

 

Businesses that had not engaged with Revenue to clear their legacy debt or to agree PPA’s (phased payment agreements) by the 1st May 2024 were in a number of cases unable to trade out of these difficulties.

 

Of the properties brought for sale publicly in 2024, six were directly attributable to the challenges stemming from the debt warehousing scheme’s conclusion.

 

LICENSE VALUES

Licence values remained stable throughout 2024, mirroring the values achieved throughout 2023 at an average of €50,000 to €55,000 per licence.

 

According to Lisney, purchaser appetite was driven by the off licence sector of the market, predominantly for the creation of new retailing concerns such as supermarkets and convenience retail outlets. Demand from forecourt retailing remained at almost nil for the second year running, perhaps indicating that operators within this sector had achieved their target of licensing their existing identified stations over the past number of years.

 

Lisney anticipates future supply of licenses will mostly likely be from businesses that have become unviable or that are located within lesser populated locations. Typically, the delivery of licences from such sources ultimately results in a repurposing of the property for other uses.

 

In Q4 of 2024, Lisney noticed an increase in licensing queries posed from the Restaurant Sector of Ireland. A number of operators in this sector feel that moving from a traditional ‘restaurant’ to a ‘gastro bar’ may assist in a reduction of staff costs. However, the true demand from this sector of the market remains to be seen.

 

THE PROVINCIAL MARKET IN 2024

The provincial licensed premises market experienced a surge in activity, highlighted by several high-profile sales, particularly within the well-established provincial cities. The market saw a notable shift with the JD Wetherspoon group’s sale of four premises in Cork, Galway, Waterford, and Carlow. Of the properties offered, three were successfully transacted, achieving a total combined value 56% below the asking price – reflecting a recalibration of market expectations.

 

Appetite outside of populated cities and large towns remained subdued, with little purchaser demand. Closures of non-viable businesses within sparsely populated rural areas continued, and this sector of the market struggled persistently. The availability of Publicans Licences from these locations will likely increase.

 

Well-established regional tourism areas continued to perform relatively well, maintaining their ability to conduct meaningful volumes of seasonal trade. This sector continued to attract interest from both existing operators and potential new entrants, buoyed by the overall growth in Ireland’s tourism sector.

 

Overall, the 2024 provincial licensed premises market in Ireland was characterised by cautious transactions, ongoing challenges in rural areas, and emerging opportunities in property repurposing and private equity investment. The market continued to favour well-located, quality premises in populous areas and established tourist destinations, while the future of many rural pubs remained uncertain.

 

OUTLOOK 2025

According to Lisney, demand in 2025 is expected to concentrate on large suburban venues and prime city centre locations, where the potential for premium pricing will offer greater flexibility to adjust prices in line with cost inflation.

 

Purchaser profile will continue as per previous years, with publicans being the dominant purchaser class. Developers are expected to remain active, particularly in pursuing suburban sites large enough to accommodate the critical number of units needed to justify development. However, licensed premises sites are typically only suitable for apartment projects, and demand for such sites outside prime areas, except for social and affordable housing, has declined significantly due to rising construction costs.

 

Private equity buyers are expected to remain active in 2025, seeking investment opportunities. However, due to their specific criteria and the limited availability of suitable assets, Lisney anticipates only a small number of transactions, primarily in the €6 million+ value range.

 

The trend of off-market sales is expected to continue into 2025, particularly for high-value city centre properties. With a limited but highly active and well-funded buyer pool, these discreet transactions align with the preference of many publicans who prioritise privacy.

 

The Licensed and Leisure Team at Lisney comment that the outlook for 2025 is strong:

“The 2024 Dublin licensed premises property market saw a steady flow of transactions, with sales volume reflecting the activity levels of 2023. We predict continued demand for city centre locations, though a softening of profitability is expected for certain businesses and trading locations. This is due to rising staff costs and increases in product prices that cannot be fully passed onto consumers. While most businesses will remain viable, operators are likely to see lower returns in 2025, which may influence decisions to sell versus hold. As a result, we anticipate a decline in demand for some suburban food-driven businesses that have had to absorb cost pressures.

 

The trend of off-market sales is expected to persist into 2025, particularly for high-value city centre units. These sales cater to a limited but active, well-funded market, making private transactions the preference for many publicans.”

 

For more details about Lisney, visit www.lisney.com

You can also follow Lisney on X: LisneyIreland and LinkedIn: Lisney Ireland