ON GALWAY BAY: 800,000 expected for 14-acre site by the sea

A MARKETING campaign for what is described as a trophy site overlooking Galway Bay gets under way this week on the instructions of BDO receiver Paul Keenan.

The 14-acre site between Barna village and the Connemara Coast Hotel is well known to locals and visitors because it is surrounded on three sides by a distinctive high cut-stone wall with two entrances onto the main road.

The site has lain idle for many years and has 350m of frontage on to the sea and views over Galway Bay to The Burren and the Aran Islands in the distance.

James Heaslip of selling agent Property Partners Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard says the property, known as Knocknagreine House, has intrigued many passers-by over the years who have “pondered what lies behind the magnificent cut stone walls”.

In fact, there is little to be found behind the walls apart from a partly-built house which has remained uncompleted for many years.

The 19th century Knocknagreine House was used as a retreat centre by Presentation nuns for many years and was eventually demolished with the intention of replacing it with a larger centre. The plan was never fulfilled.

Whoever buys the extensive site may only get planning permission for a single house, according to one local property expert. Heaslip says the vendor’s expectations are “realistic”, but he will not be providing a guide price.

However, the feeling locally is that the site may make in excess of €800,000 when it goes for sale by tender on February 18th.