Court approves €13m deal for Killashee House Hotel

Brehon Capital Partners and Midwest Holding have agreed a deal to buy the four-star Killashee House Hotel in Kildare for €13m. 

Under a scheme of arrangement approved in the High Court yesterday, the new owners will take over the hotel as a going concern which will see the retention of more than 180 staff.

Brehon Capital Partners director, Michael McElligot, said the hotel remains an attractive destination and is trading strongly.

“We are delighted to be the new owners of this fabulous property and plan to invest in growing a business that is trading very strongly. With over 160 weddings hosted at Killashee in 2013 it is a clear destination of choice for couples looking for a special location close to Dublin,” said Mr McElligot.

The 141-bedroom hotel located near Naas was owned by Craigfort Taverns whose major shareholder is businessman Jack Tierney.

Brehon’s investment is the Dublin-based equity firms fifth hotel acquisition following a joint deal between Brehon and entrepreneur Emmet O’Neill to buy the prestigious Mount Juliet resort in Co Kilkenny in April.

Meanwhile, former Irish international footballer and entrepreneur Niall Quinn is one of two investors who have come to the financial rescue of Lawlor’s Hotel, in Poplar Square, Naas, Co Kildare, the High Court heard yesterday.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton in the High Court heard that Mr Quinn, as well as Kilcullen Bakery, had made available €2.247m to fund a scheme of financial recovery for Marchford, trading as Lawlor’s.