One of Ireland's best-known hotels, Tinakilly Country House Hotel, at Rathnew, Co Wicklow, is expected to make about £6 million when it is sold by tender next month through Hamilton Osborne King. The hotel has been the venue for a Government meeting and is regularly used for conferences by leading Irish companies. The four-star hotel is ranked 75 in the Top 100 hotels in the world, according to a survey recently published by The Times of London. This year, it was also rated an AA Red Star Hotel and was awarded the RAC Blue Ribbon for outstanding service.
The Victorian-Italianate mansion was built in 1870 for the navigator Captain Halpin, who commanded the Great Eastern, the ship which laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable. The internal design of the hotel has many nautical features, including a staircase almost identical to the one in the great entrance hall of the ship.
The house was subsequently converted and extended and is now a luxury country house hotel with 53 bedrooms and suites. The Brunel room restaurant seats 80 diners and there are four conference and meeting rooms and a drawingroom bar.
Tinakilly has been owned for almost 20 years by William and Bee Power, who have built up a successful business. Once they sell the hotel, they plan to take on consultancy work and to assist with other family business interests. A son, Raymond, owns the Enniscree Lodge Hotel.
Tinakilly stands on nine acres of gardens and, according to the owners, there is scope to grow the business further - perhaps by adding a leisure and conference centre.
Paul Collins of Hamilton Osborne King says he expects both Irish and international interest in the hotel because of its excellent reputation. The new owners will be able to avail of significant unutilised capital allowances, according to the agents.
