THE government didn't turn down the option of buying Farmleigh, the Guinness mansion at the Phoenix Park sight unseen, and the story isn't over yet. The Taoiseach viewed it with the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Martin Cullen, last year at the invitation of Lord Iveagh, who showed them round. They were impressed, but sources say there was never any prospect that Bertie Ahern would buy it as the taoiseach's residence, to rival if not outshine Britain's Chequers. Bertie, they say, wouldn't countenance spending some £15 million on such luxury despite our currently healthy economy. It mightn't go down too well in Drumcondra, appears to be the rationale. Now if we had C.J. Haughey in power the State might indeed have acquired a new national treasure.
But the door is not closed and the purchase of Farmleigh is being given further serious consideration by the Government. There is growing opinion that as the only private estate left at the Phoenix Park, it would be wrong if it ended up as a hotel. With its accommodation, gardens and secure location, it would be ideal for international and Governmental conferences or even meetings of the new all-Ireland council.
Cullen told Quidnunc that the OPW look at very important properties all over the place "and clearly this is one of the most significant, not just the house but in the context of its Dublin location. It could form an important element of the State asset base."