Slieve Russell hits market with €35M price tag

Sean Quinn himself has also shown an interest in getting back ownership of the property.

The Slieve Russell Hotel, once a jewel in the crown of Sean Quinn’s hospitality empire, has hit the market with a starting price tag of €35 million.

The Anglo-Celt understands there was already plenty of early interest, from both potential national and international buyers, before the four-star resort near Ballyconnell was finally listed for sale.

CBRE Property Agents in Dublin will be managing the sale process.

Ballyhaise native and experienced entrepreneur and investor Mr Gallagher is among those reported as eyeing up the iconic 224-bedroom Slieve Russell with its PGA National championship 18 hole golf course, 65-ft pool and luxurious spa.

Mr Quinn himself has also shown an interest in getting back ownership of the property.

The landmark hotel and the Hilton Prague are the last two hospitality assets that once belonged to Mr Quinn still to be sold.

The liquidators have been selling off the Quinn hospitality assets over the last few years, with Dublin pubs The Barge and JW Sweetman sold last year.

The Barge on the banks of Dublin’s Grand Canal sold for €3.75m; while the Mahon family, who own a number of New York pubs, bought Sweetmans near O’Connell Bridge for over €5m.

Buswells Hotel in the city was also put on the market by selling agents Savills for €22m in 2022 but has not yet been sold.

IBRC assumed control of the Slieve Russell Hotel in 2011 following the collapse of the Quinn empire, which included glass, quarrying, insurance and hospitality.

In a statement to members, hotel management noted that with the support of the Board of Directors, they had reinvested "significant funds" into refurbishing and renovating the hotels 180 plus bedrooms, public areas, conference and banqueting suites, and the Summit Restaurant and Golf Clubhouse.

"During recent years we have performed ahead of all expectations, and following this investment, we are expecting the business to thrive and grow from strength to strength over the next number of years."

The statement concludes that while the "much anticipated" sale process takes place that it remains: "very much business as usual" at the hotel.