Longford: from €340,000A new golf and country club development is selling from plans this weekend at the offices of joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and DNG Frank Regan of Longford town. Three and four-bedroom houses from €340,000 are on offer.
Carrigglas is a walled estate on 600 acres of meadow and woodland, about 1.5 miles from Longford. Originally the seat of the Bishop of Armagh, the house and estate was acquired by the Huguenot family Lefroy in 1837 and has remained in family ownership until now.
Palladian courtyards at Carrigglas were designed by James Gandon, who created the Custom House and Four Courts, while the Victorian Gothic manor house was by Daniel Robertson, who designed the Italian gardens at Powerscourt Estate.
Golfer Retief Goosen will next Tuesday officially launch the new golf, residential and four-star hotel enterprise. The centre-piece will be a championship course designed by the former US Open winner. Jeff Howes, who designed courses at Mount Juliet, the Heritage, Fota Island and Gowran Park, was also involved.
In addition to the 96-bedroom hotel, tennis courts, a swimming pool, equestrian centre and a spa are also planned for the venue, to create a family-orientated resort. A three-mile woodland walk will be lit from dusk.
Phase one comprises 50 three and four-bedroom houses, with prices starting at €340,000 for three-bedroom houses of 92-144sq m (1,000-1,560sq ft). Four-bedroom houses from €370,000 will have 119-183sq m (1,290-1,970sq ft) of living space. Buyers can choose between townhouses, semis and detached houses.
The new houses in 11 different designs will be built on the estate's old deer park and the gate-lodges and farm cottages are being refurbished.
Kearns are developers at Carrigglas and Bowen are the contractors. Local materials are being used where possible, with limestone walls and hardwood windows and doors. Inside, the latest in contemporary fittings will be offered, with a choice of kitchens, wardrobes, wall tiling and fireplaces. Solar panels and CAT5 cabling for digital and high-speed communications are also planned. Security cameras will monitor private walkways.
Work has started on the site and the first houses are scheduled for completion in 2007. The hotel is due to open in 2007 and the golf course by mid-2007. This should be playable by early 2008, according to the selling agents.
