Here’s Your Chance To Own An Entire Irish Village

Whilst grand country estates and private islands will appear on the market at rare but regular intervals, having an entire Irish village for sale is a truly exclusive offering. A former village estate turned hotel, the Village at Lyons is now on the market for €20m.

Discover The Village At Lyons

Keith Mahon of Digital Food Marketing Ireland and Matteo Tuniz, MediaPro for Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty

Located behind Lyons Hill, on the peaceful banks of the Grand Canal in County Kildare, in 760 AD the site was home to the royal Kings of Leinster who ruled over the area from the Iron Age up until the early 17th century. It wasn’t until the late 18th and early 19th centuries that the Village at Lyons developed into a thriving canal-side village, with the buildings that form the 20-acre estate largely built in the 1820s.

Back then, key buildings included the Jolly Angler Inn, a police barracks, a lock yard, Church of Ireland school, a four storey watermill, and a flour mill run by Joseph P Shackleton, a relative of the famous Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. The 1821 census recorded 79 houses and 102 families at the village. At its peak, 90 barges a day passed through, carrying flour, local merchandise, and stone from the nearby Ardclough quarries to Dublin.

Keith Mahon of Digital Food Marketing Ireland and Matteo Tuniz, MediaPro for Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty

But by the 20th century, the central mansion and village were in a state of ruin. The former flour mill, by then a roller mill, had burnt down marking a tragic turning point for the area. And it wasn’t until the 90s that it saw its fate turn, when Ryanair co-founder, and Irish billionaire, Dr Tony Ryan bought up the village, investing approximately €30m in its restoration.

Speaking of the purchase, Ryan said: ‘Places like this have roots that run deep, not only into the cultural strata that informed their design and creation over the centuries, but also into the life of the community that continues to enjoy its landscape.’ He brought in master craftsmen to restore the historic properties and the village was returned to its former glory.

Keith Mahon of Digital Food Marketing Ireland and Matteo Tuniz, MediaPro for Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty

Following Ryan’s death, the Village at Lyons was sold and developed into a five-star boutique hotel called Cliff at Lyons, which is currently owned by Irish businessman Barry O’Callaghan. The ensemble of rose-clad cottages are used as accommodation, with guests also gaining access to the landscaped courtyards and gardens, lake, orchards, water mill and waterways, plus the award-winning spa, dining and entertainment spaces. 

Located just 30 minutes away from Dublin, the village is accessed through a gated tree-lined avenue, through which sits its 20 acres of grounds. Complete with vaulted, cathedral-style ceilings, the interiors complement antique detailing with stylish furnishings.

Keith Mahon of Digital Food Marketing Ireland and Matteo Tuniz, MediaPro for Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty

While the central mansion is not up for grabs, the new owner will gain access to a total of 47 bedrooms, plus a library, a billiards room, and a pub. Other key features of the village include the barn, fitness room, carriage house, media room, artist studio and yoga space, plus other benefits such as dedicated staff quarters, a security system, gardens, a terrace, balcony and deck, recreational area, outdoor shower and outdoor hot tub. Beyond the bounds of the village, the landscape opens toward world-class stud farms, championship golf courses, and notable country houses, with park views visible from across the village. 

Keith Mahon of Digital Food Marketing Ireland and Matteo Tuniz, MediaPro for Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty

Discussing the listing, David Byrne from Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty said: ‘Opportunities to acquire an entire historic estate village are exceptionally rare. The care, vision, and passion invested in its restoration and development have created a truly remarkable property, making this a genuinely unrivalled offering in the Irish market.

‘The buyer is likely to be an ultra-high net worth individual who sees this as a truly unique Irish estate, a hospitality destination or, a long-term heritage investment where there is further potential to develop the property to its fullest potential in the future.’

On the market for €20m. Find out more at sothebysrealty.com