Kinsale estate in final three of exclusive property competition

KINSALE estate Ballinacurra House has beaten stiff opposition to reach the final three of the Best Exclusive Hire Property competition.

Mon, 27 Nov, 2006 - 00:00

Sue Phelan

It is now up against Richard Branson’s Caribbean property Necker Island and a resort in the Maldives and is the only nominee from Europe to have reached the final shortlist.

The winner of the competition is to be announced in January at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes.

Ballinacurra House is a private estate for exclusive hire and has only been in business for three years.

Set on 40 acres, the country residence has its own chef, butler and helipad and its owners Des and Lisa McGahan have focused on creating Ireland’s premier private estate for exclusive hire.

The house can accommodate up to 44 people in its 18 individually themed ensuite rooms, 14 in the main house and four in the coach house.

The property was a finalist for the Best Marketing Innovation Award recently in the HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International) Irish Chapter in Dublin.

The competition is run by the Luxury Travel Reader Awards.