First bumper Allsop Space auction of 2013 Roger Whittaker to sell his Galway home at auction

The Old Convent, Eyrecourt.

The first auction of 2013, in what will be the largest auction held in Ireland to date, will feature a massive 155 properties, comprising 109 residential and 49 commercial lots with a combined reserve of €15.4 million, and will include 73 houses, 27 apartments, 24 retail, seven pubs, and two hotels.

The highlight of this auction has to be a beautiful Georgian house which comes with a recording studio, gym, outhouses, and a two bedroom guest apartment. The Old Convent, The Square, Eyrecourt, is the former home and studio of singer/songwriter Roger Whittaker. The property has a reserve not to exceed €275,000. According to Allsop Space, the sale of celebrity-owned properties is commonplace internationally, with the home of Amy Winehouse one of the more recent celebrity properties on the market.

Best known for his 1960s hits ‘Durham Town’ and his 1975 signature song ‘Last Farewell’ which sold 11 million copies, Roger Whittaker and his wife Nathalie have lived in Ireland for 13 years, the last seven of which were in The Old Convent. “We loved living there and we’ll really miss it, as it was such a friendly place,” Whittaker said. “However, my wife’s arthritis means the French climate is far more suitable to her health needs. It’s not just a home, it’s a lifestyle, with the gym and recording studio, the ideal home for an Irish recording artist, or someone interested in music. I know whoever does buy this house will enjoy it as much as we have and get to know the lovely people here. I am confident that the right buyer and the right price will be achieved through the international coverage that the auction method of selling can offer.”

The main house, which is furnished in period country style, has four reception rooms, a conservatory at ground level, kitchen, dining room, and three en suite bedrooms. Other buildings include a large four-port garage, storage areas, and a wine cellar, as well as a tennis court and spacious children's play area.

The Dublin properties up for auction include a top floor two bedroom apartment off Leeson Street, No 11 Stephen’s, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2. This property has a tenant in situ and is giving a rental income of €15,600 a year. The reserve is to exceed €190,000.

Another Georgian building in good condition has come on the market at No 20 Herbert Street with a reserve not to exceed €560,000. Herbert Street is an attractive street off Baggot Street, close to the Pepper Canister Church. The building has been the subject of some restoration and refurbishment work.

Munster fans will be interested to know that Cork’s Munster Rugby Shop, located at No 8 Maylor Street in Cork city, has a reserve of €275,000 with a rental income of €40,000 in place.

Two hotels will feature in the March auction; the 41 bedroom Kilkee Bay Hotel in Co Clare has a reserve not to exceed €315,000, and the Ashford Court Boutique Hotel, Old Mill Road, Ennis, Co Clare, has a reserve not to exceed €215,000.

The holiday destination of Clifden will also feature, with Humpty’s Bar on Market Street up for sale. This is a a mixed use building complete with public house, night club, takeaway, and eight apartments. The current rent is €41,600 from the public house and nightclub with the remainder of the property vacant. The reserve not to exceed €450,000.

The auction will take place in the Shelbourne Hotel from 9.30am on Friday March 1.

For further details on any of these properties contact Robert Hoban, associate director, Allsop Space, at Robert@allsopspace.ie or 01 676 2033.