Promoter Peter Aiken buys Riverdance duo’s home for €8.2m

Concert promoter Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions has bought Danes Hollow, the north Dublin coastal home of Riverdance creators Moya Doherty and John McColgan. The businessman paid just over €8.2million for the Howth property on 3.35 acres which came on the market seeking €9.5million in April last year.

It is understood Mr Aiken plans to live in the 9,000sq ft property on Thormanby Road, but because of its location within minutes of the airport, and with easy helicopter access, there has been speculation that Ireland's most successful independent music promoter may also use the property to host musicians when performing in Ireland. His client list includes Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift among others.

A fence was recently erected around the perimeter hedge of the residence and Mr Aiken’s period Sandymount home is expected to be placed for sale shortly. He was unavailable for comment.

The Residential Property Price Register listed the sale this week at €8.2million, though the register only reflects the property sale on one acre; it is likely slightly more was paid for the additional 2.35 acres.

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Moya Doherty and John McColgan purchased Danes Hollow when it was a modest bungalow on just one acre in 1997 for IR£900,000. They later purchased the adjoining land and in 2001 constructed the very fine five-bed home to a New England style, surrounded by expansive manicured, terraced gardens.

Guest cottage A small cliff-edge guest cottage on the site with its own access road

was retained by Ms Doherty and Mr McColgan. Mr McColgan said at the time of the sale: “You would never get planning for something like that today so we’re hanging on to it.” The couple have bought two penthouses in a newly built apartment scheme in Clontarf.

Widely considered to be one of the finest properties in Dublin, Danes Hollow is located beside Baily Lighthouse and enjoys unrivalled sea views across Dublin Bay to Bray Head. It sits on a coastal stretch that includes a number of high-profile properties that have changed hands in recent years, including Glenlion, the former home of rogue former solicitor Michael Lynn and bought at auction by businessman Robert Dix for €4.9 million in 2008; next door is the home of broadcaster Gay Byrne, now owned by his daughter, Susie, and her husband who plan to redevelop it; on the other side is Journey's End where two high-end modern homes are being constructed and nearby is Carnalea, purchased in December 2015 for €5 million by Patrick O'Sullivan, of Showtime Cinemas, and also under construction.

Serious bidders

It is understood there were three serious bidders for Danes Hollow, which was marketed for sale by agent

Robert Ganly

of Ganly Walters, with the other two interested parties from outside Ireland.

It is the third sale in recent months of a prominent Dublin coastal property. Gorse Hill the former home of solicitor Brian O’Donnell sold in July for €9.5million, having been on the market for€8.5million. More recently, Inishcorrig a Gothic revival mansion with direct sea access in Dalkey, sold for €8million. It had gone on the market in 2015 as Dublin’s most expensive property, at €10.5 million.