MerrionSquareSale:The Football Association of Ireland has secured close to €9 million for its headquarters at 80 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Its new owner may be the businessmen Lochlann Quinn, who was spotted viewing the Georgian house. Other viewers included Dunnes Stores chief Margaret Heffernan and the businessman Larry Goodman.

Mrs Heffernan is not thought to be the purchaser because she has since bought a penthouse around the corner facing Government buildings for €4.3 million. An associate of Mr Goodman said he was not the purchaser, leaving Mr Quinn as the probable new owner.

It is thought likely that he will restore it for residential use like a house a few doors away owned by another businessman, Dermot Desmond.

Iain Finnegan of agent Finnegan Menton who had been expecting the Georgian house to "break €7 million" would not comment on the sale last night.

Number 80 is one of the few remaining properties on the southern side of the square, with its entire rear garden and a mews fronting on to Fitzwilliam Lane. There is parking for 18 cars at the rear but the entire property will require considerable refurbishment. The house was at one stage owned Sir Edward Carson.