CBRE Hotels has confirmed that the New Forest Estate & Golf Course which, on the instructions of the Receiver, Padraic Monaghan, went on the market earlier this year, has now been successfully sold. The purchasers are Cunningham Properties, who are originally from Co. Galway and who have several other businesses in Galway, Dublin and the UK
John Cunningham, who lives close to New Forest, is a longstanding member of the New Forest Golf Club and when it went on the market, he saw an opportunity to bring the ownership of this much acclaimed and quite stunning parkland golf course back into local ownership.
The New Forest Estate is located about midway between Dublin and Galway – less than one hour from DublinAirport – just 4 kms west of Tyrellspass, off junction 4 of the M6 and easily accessible from a well populated hinterland which includes the busy commercial centres of Tullamore, Mullingar, Athlone, Moate & Kinnegad.
The New Forest Estate is one of Ireland’s best kept and most mature estates with a magnificent mix of rolling natural landscapes protected and interwoven by mature forestation including an abundance of elegant Ash, Chestnut, Oak and Beech trees. Now home to one of Ireland’s most admired and challenging 18 hole parkland golf courses, the sale also included 21 spacious two bedroom self-catering cottages, a private cottage and a modern Greenkeepers Maintenance building.
The Cunningham’s intend to open up membership of the golf club to local people at very attractive rates and their aim is to create a real local community spirit within the club and provide another great amenity for the area which will attract visitors to the area and thereby boost the local economy.
The price achieved is reported to be close to the guide price of €1.25m
The centrepiece to the estate is New Forest House, a mid to late 18th century manor house and a listed building, which was formerly the home of the Governor of Western Australia and Tasmania.
This impressive building, which is mainly three storey over basement, has recently been carefully refurbished and extended, with many of the original features – including most of and over mantels – also retained and restored.
New Forest House now presents as the golf clubhouse, and includes corporate facilities to cater for large and small groups, Lounge Bar, Restaurant, Dining Room, Committee Rooms, offices, Pro Shop and well finished Ladies and Gents Locker Rooms all within the authentic surroundings of the 18th century manor house.
The block of 21 spacious, self-catering apartments were developed from the old estate courtyard & stables buildings and with up to 45 bedrooms, can provide ideal overnight accommodation for golfing groups, wedding/function or conference parties etc.
The new owners have already installed a brand new professional catering team led by a highly regarded locally based head chef and the New Forest Estate and Golf Club can now provide a superb dining experience for both formal and informal occasions.
The estate also consists of the Gardeners Cottage, a state of the art Greenkeepers maintenance building all on 117.7ha (c.290.84 acres) of the best maintained golf course lands.
The New Forest Golf course itself, which was designed and constructed to the highest USGA specifications, is a stunning parkland layout designed by Walker Cup hero and renowned international golf course architect, Peter McEvoy, who said at the time that – “ The New Forest Estate is the best I have ever worked with…”
Last year, New Forest golf course was ranked in Ireland’s Top 100 Golf Courses by Golf Digest (2012) and the flourishing New Forest Golf Club is also affiliated to the GUI.
Dermot Curtin of CBRE commented: “The sale of the New Forest Estate & Golf Course to local entrepreneurs and successful businessmen like the Cunninghams is a fantastic outcome for all involved in the sale and offers a huge degree of stability to the existing members and any new members who will undoubtedly be attracted by the excellent amenities available, which will be added to by the new owners.”
CBRE Group, Inc. www.cbre.ie