GUESTS AT a remote holiday-home complex were surprised last week to find billionaire developer Liam Carroll on site overseeing one of his less well-known investments.
While lawyers battled in the High Court to prevent his property empire from collapsing, the Zoe Group owner was 78 miles from Dublin at Kilkenny Holiday Homes.
The 15 houses are in the isolated townland of Ullard, southeast of Kilkenny city. Locals were surprised when the complex was built two years ago, as the nearest shops, pubs and restaurants are more than 5km away. The accommodation certainly provides the "quiet getaway" promised but has only limited views of the Blackstairs Mountains and Brandon Hill.
Visitors said Mr Carroll, who was driving a "2005 Peugeot people-carrier", was on duty at the complex last week, helping to smooth out glitches for holidaymakers. Mr Carroll, who owns a private residence near by, appears to be slashing rental prices. A three-bed house was available last week at a knockdown rate of €300 a week.
On Saturday evening, the car park was less than one-third full.
MICHAEL PARSONS
