Killarney golf course could sell for €6.5m

Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is negotiating the potential sale of one of its three championship courses to German crane manufacturing giant Liebherr.

Talks are an advanced stage regarding a possible deal which could see the Lackabane course change hands for an estimated €6.5m.

Killarney club sources have indicated that an agreement is likely to be reached for the club to lease back and manage the course on a year-to-year basis but that Liebherr would take ownership of the property.

The Lackabane course is immediately adjacent to the sprawling Liebherr factory at Fossa, Killarney.

The German firm opened its container crane manufacturing plant in Killarney in 1958 and with a current workforce of more than 500, it is the single largest employer in Kerry.

The Liebherr family also owns the five-star Europe Hotel which is located close by, at Fossa.

Designed by architect and former Open golfer Donald Steele and officially opened in 2000, Lackabane is the newest of Killarney’s three courses.

Situated directly opposite the Irish Open Killeen course and the popular Mahony’s Point venue, and facing Killarney National Park, Lackabane hosted the Irish Ladies Open Championship in 2002 and the prestigious Ryder Cup Challenge Tour event in 2005.

Killarney hosted the Irish Open in 2010 and again last year but missed out on a three-in-a-row when the European Tour opted to move the event to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

At this year’s AGM, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club reported that its financial performance fell well short of target in 2011, with a trading deficit of over €232,000.

Killarney Golf Club general manager Maurice O’Meara confirmed last night negotiations were ongoing and that a sale and lease-back deal was being explored. “That’s all I can say at the moment,” he said.