Overseas investors interested in Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare

The general manager of the five-star

Doonbeg

golf resort in Co Clare said he received six inquiries from overseas investors looking to buy the property within 48 hours of it being placed in receivership on Monday.

Joe Russell was speaking yesterday two days after Luke Charleton and David Hughes of EY were appointed as receivers to the west Clare resort.

Mr Russell said: “Those who have expressed an interest in the business so far – I like what I am hearing . . . I know some of these people and businesses who have expressed an interest already.” The long-serving general manager at the resort added: “Those that I do know have money.”

Mr Russell said he had passed the queries on to the receivers at EY who, he said, hoped to complete the sale of the property in the next four to six weeks.

Most of the interest in the property is understood to have come from overseas investors.

The sale of the assets at Doonbeg is to include the resort that contains The Lodge hotel and the golf course, along with six unsold suites.

Mr Russell said his hope was that “we do get a suitable owner for Doonbeg – someone who has the vision and resources to take what is a fantastic tourism product to take it to its next stage.”

Mr Russell said the business had grown since 2009 and its accommodation, golf and resort have all continued to thrive “and had major gains last year”.

Based on current bookings, he anticipates further growth in 2014.

He confirmed that the business had entered receivership as a result of legacy property issues.

It is understood that trade creditors to the resort are to be paid in full or receive the bulk of the money owed to them.