AIG All-Ireland champions Muskerry have made a spectacular start to their Barton Shield title defence.

LEAVING Cooper family hands for the first time since Cromwellian days is Sligo’s historic Markree Castle, the latest in a quickly expanding list of Irish hotels and castles changing hands along with the likes of Adare, and Ashford, while Waterford Castle is also up for new ownership.

A Waterford-born businessman who has lived in Australia for the last 30 years has emerged as the successful buyer of Waterford Castle, paying over €6m for the luxury hotel, set on an island on the River Suir just below the city.

The €20m sale of Limerick city’s four-star Strand Hotel has gone through to US billionaire John Malone: he adds it to his other Irish hotel investments, such as Dublin’s Hilton Hotel, the Westin and the Trinity City Hotel.

IRELAND’S signature castle hotels have been changing hands with aplomb this year – think Ashford Castle, and now Adare Manor on the hook for c €40m, while this week the illustrious roll-call is joined by the more modestly priced Waterford Castle.

Waterford Castle, a hotel and resort on an island in the River Suir two miles from Waterford City, has just been publicly placed on the international market guiding over €4.5m.

The Menu has finally given up his relentless badgering of the UN for some class of international intervention on behalf of the wonderful Deise County to negotiate a return to the stove for his excellent friend Mighty Michael Quinn, formerly award-winning head chef of Waterford Castle for nigh on 20 years. 

Two years ago, the little nine-hole Spanish Point links in West Clare didn’t have a pennant of any kind.

Gardaí in Waterford have been called to a dispute between the ferry operator and the Waterford Castle Hotel.

Irish golf has never produced as many players willing to chase the ultimate dream of a place on the game’s major tours. Whether they can afford to follow their dreams is another matter altogether.

Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards wants Waterford Castle’s Kevin Phelan and The Island’s Gavin Moynihan to be his silent assassins when they defend the trophy in New York in less than three weeks’ time.

Ireland suffered a disappointing start to the Home International Championship at Ganton, suffering a narrow 8-7 defeat at the hands of a below strength England side.

On a weekend of unbelievable tension, resilient Cork Golf Club brought off magnificent double in the Munster provincial finals staged on the Mahony’s Point course in Killarney.

Brides-to-be breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when it became clear in the High Court that receptions they booked at the four-star Waterford Castle and Hotel will go ahead despite the financial crash of the complex.

Aiden Murphy of Crowe Horwath has been confirmed as official liquidator to Newgold Ltd and Cendant Ltd, the trading companies of the Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort.

Waterford Castle has been placed into provisional liquidation and a receiver has been appointed.

IT’S one of the most magical hotel arrivals in Ireland. There you are, driving across the country with the weight of the world on your shoulders, when all of a sudden, you pull up at a little slipway dipping into the River Suir.

Shell-shocked skipper Nigel Edwards believes Great Britain and Ireland’s budding professionals need to improve their short games after late collapses allowed the Continent of Europe to claim the St Andrews Trophy in enemy territory for the first time.

With the disappointing late withdrawal of the Slieve Russell twins Leona and Lisa Maguire, the focus of attention turned to the other Irish competitors in the smaller-than-usual field in the British Ladies Open stroke-play championship at Shandon Park, Belfast yesterday.

Ireland captain Pádraig Hogan believes a strong start against hosts Scotland tomorrow will be key to success in the Home Internationals at Glasgow Gailes.

Kevin Phelan will look to carry momentum from his top-five finish at Carton House into the European Amateur Championships into this week’s Home Internationals.

Dublin teenager Gavin Moynihan bids to continue his amazing run of form at the British Amateur Championship at Royal Troon this morning.

The stunning and spacious Creadan Bay House has seen its price halved. Tommy Barker reports

DEFENDING champion Alan Dunbar hopes his batteries will be recharged when he tees it up at Royal Dublin this morning and takes on six of his fellow Walker Cup squad members in the Irish Amateur Open.

WHEN the German owners of this splendid Co Kilkenny farm came to Ireland more than 30 years ago, they were torn between purchasing Castle Annaghs and one other property — Waterford Castle.

SOME of world’s best hotels are located here, according to a newly published league table of Britain’s and Ireland’s top establishments.