Parknasilla resort joins Fota finish

BIDS are at an advanced stage and heading towards €20m from European and Asian parties on the Fota Island Resort in Cork harbour this month, as Kerry’s Parknasilla gem joins Fota on the international sales market.

The Ring of Kerry hotel, with 500 heavenly acres and 83 bedrooms plus 62 lodges, is guided at €10m by Tom Barrett and Denis O’Donoghue of Savills Cork and Dublin offices, and will be considered a trophy buy with considerable potential, particularly if a wedding/conference facility is added.

Having been significantly upgraded by its 2006 buyer Bernard McNamara, who ploughed in a further €10 to €15m on top of his €40m purchase price, Parknasilla is expected to get US/expat Irish and Kerry inquiries, as well as fitting high-end portfolios being assembled and consolidated by UK-based operators and investors. It has in the past been favoured by European royalty and premiers, as well as ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, for whom special kegs of Bass were delivered to the bar for his annual vacation there.