Bord Fáilte hold key to golf row
He also indicated that Bord Fáilte would, in future, have a more active involvement in Killarney Golf Club, which could include directorships on the club board.
The row, which arises from a controversy about the ownership of the 1,700-member club, reached a farcical stage when two AGMS were called by different groups. Both meetings have been cancelled pending the outcome of negotiations.
Talks have been taking place this week between representatives of the members and the club directors, with a ‘middle group’ acting as intermediaries, and hopes are rising that a resolution will be found.
Members are claiming that the seven directors have too much control of the club. The members want 25% of the shares to be put into a new trust on their behalf. Considerable progress has been made in the talks and, it is understood, many of the members’ demands may be granted.
Bord Fáilte’s 75% shareholding is held by nominated trustees acting on behalf of the State. Up to now, Bord Fáilte has not taken an active role in the running of the club.
Mr O’Donoghue welcomed the talks between the warring factions. “It’s best that a solution be arrived at locally rather than Bord Fáilte having to impose a solution. However, any solution arrived at will have to have Bord Faile’s imprimateur because of the State’s involvement,” he added.
Up to 40,000 golfers play annually at the club, which has three championship courses and a turnover of around €2.5m.
