An 18th-century Irish village once owned by the founder of Ryanair has been put on the market for €20 million (£17.5 million). Lyons Village, a historic estate in Celbridge, County Kildare, spans 20 acres and includes 47 bedrooms, a library, a billiards room, and a pub.
The property also houses a five-star hotel with cottages, an award-winning spa, and several dining and entertainment venues, all included in the sale. The estate was purchased and restored in 1992 by Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan, who said: 'Places like this have roots that run deep, not only into the cultural strata that informed their design and creation over the centuries, but also into the life of the community that continues to enjoy its landscape.'
David Byrne of Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty described the sale as 'exceptionally rare', adding: 'The buyer is likely to be an ultra-high net worth individual who sees this as a truly unique Irish estate, a hospitality destination, or a long-term heritage investment.'
Located in the Kildare countryside, the village is a 30-minute drive from Dublin’s centre and is accessed via a gated tree-lined avenue. It features gardens, orchards, a lake, and stables. The estate was developed in the 18th and 19th centuries as a canal-side milling village and sits beside Lyons Hill, an early medieval royal site.
In 2016, Irish financier Barry O’Callaghan bought the property and began operating the boutique retreat Cliff at Lyons. The listing notes that opportunities to acquire a complete historic village are 'almost unheard of', offering a chance to steward a piece of Ireland's cultural and architectural heritage.
