UCC head’s holiday home up for rent at €2,000 a week
The property is owned by the family of University College Cork president Michael Murphy, who is paid €232,000 a year.
He created a storm of controversy last month when he defended his six-figure salary.
He said he took a 15% pay-cut to accept the lucrative job in 2007 and had taken on a certain standard of living at the time.
“When you take on a job as a university head, you have an anticipation that there will be a certain salary going with it,” he said.
“You will have bought the house, you will have got the mortgage, which will be bigger than the one from [before].
“So I can tell you that university heads are as challenged about paying their bills today, arising from cutbacks, as anybody else. Many people won’t understand this because of the scale difference. But the stress on people is the same.”
The property, Tearmann, a stunning five-bedroom house which overlooks a sweeping scenic bend of the River Bandon, near Kinsale, is now for rent to holidaymakers for a rental price of €2,000.
A spokesperson for Mr Murphy said he was on university business and was not available for comment.
But he has confirmed that his family owns the property, and that they wish to rent it.
“As this is a family and not a university matter, he does not wish to comment further,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Murphy also requested that the privacy of his family be respected.
According to its listing on rent.ie, the property’s owners can organise “first-class staff”, dinners prepared by a private chef, and in-house therapies, as well as fishing, canoeing, and boating from the property’s foreshore.
“Tearmann’s secluded position offers a haven of tranquility and hospitality,” it reads.
“Tearmann is built to German Passivehouse (ultra low energy) standards and we promote buildings that leave a light footprint upon the earth.
“The owners backround [sic] in the healing profession has influenced the design of Tearmann in the hope that it will be a place where mind body and spirit can rest from the frenzy of life.”
Tearmann, the Irish for “church lands” or “sacred space”, was built several years ago on the banks of the River Bandon, near Dunderrow.
The three-storey, one-off property sits on 11-acres of woodland.
According to the listing, the contemporary light-filled house features natural stone and timber throughout, and huge panoramic windows to take full advantage of the spectacular views.
Potential visitors are told that they can “relax in comfort at the end of the day and sleep peacefully in this welcoming property knowing that Tearmann will provide you with unsurpassed levels of private service for your ultimate stay”.
The listing adds that the house would be perfect for family vacations, retreats, workshops, and special occasions.
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