Sotheby’s International Realty has listed a meticulously restored 18th-century County Kildare mining settlement for €20 million (£17.5 million), with the 20-acre estate’s 47-bedroom capacity and five-star hotel operations positioning it as what agents predict will attract “an ultra-high-net-worth individual” seeking either an Irish estate or investment opportunity.
David Byrne of Sotheby’s anticipates the Village of Lyons—currently operating as luxury hotel Cliff Lyons—will appeal to wealthy buyers recognising the property’s dual potential as both private retreat and commercial hospitality venture, with the rose-clad Georgian cottages arranged around “intimate squares and gardens” just 30 minutes from Dublin.
Current owner Barry O’Callaghan acquired the wider estate in 2016 following the 2007 death of Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan, who purchased and painstakingly restored the historic settlement during the 1990s after decades of neglect.
Ryan’s own estate house within the village remains with his family and does not form part of the sale, though the surrounding cottages demonstrate remarkable craftsmanship that appears deceptively authentic.
“The buildings are so beautiful—they look like they have been there for hundreds of years despite being built in the Nineties,” Sotheby’s Nicola Vance told The Telegraph. “They were built with longevity in mind.”
The settlement’s origins trace to 18th-century mining operations, with many surviving structures dating to the 1820s when the community thrived around a flourmill operated by Joseph P Shackleton, a relative of renowned Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.
The 1887 fire that destroyed the mill—which had converted to roller operations—triggered catastrophic decline, with the school closing, shops shuttering and buildings falling into disrepair throughout subsequent decades.
Ryan’s restoration revived the “truly enchanting sanctuary” featuring landscaped courtyards, a lake, orchards and “placid waterways” accessible only via gated avenue through rolling farmland and hills.
Historic structures including a pub, old schoolhouse, former lock yard and police barracks have been preserved, with the restored mill now housing the Shackleton Mill Restaurant and Terrace alongside the property’s spa and multiple dining venues.
The Georgian cottages maintain period architectural charm whilst incorporating modern comforts, with the estate positioned near golf courses, country houses and impressive farms throughout the Kildare countryside.
Sotheby’s characterises the listing as “one of Ireland’s most remarkable private estate villages,” reflecting both historical significance and contemporary luxury hospitality standards achieved through careful restoration work.
