After a €9 million transformation, a Mayo island, which belonged to businessman Nadim Sadek, is being sold by the receivers
WITH THE chill winds of recession sweeping across the land, who wouldn’t like an island of their own as a safe haven from the woes of the world? Well one of the myriad islands in Clew Bay, Co Mayo, is up for sale. It’s called Inish Turk Beg (to distinguish it from the bigger Inish Turk further out in the Atlantic) and the asking price is €2.85 million.
The sale of the island is being conducted jointly by Knight Frank and Sherry FitzGerald in association with Christie’s International Real Estate.
The property is in receivership and can be considered a bargain because over the past few years €9 million has been spent on transforming the entire island into a very special residential retreat.
The transformation was carried out by Nadim Sadek, an Irish-Egyptian businessman who 10 years ago set aside his incredibly successful international market research business and arrived at Clew Bay intent on buying his very own island in pursuit of a better life.
He was not the first to fall under the spell of that wild and wonderful seascape beneath the slopes of Croagh Patrick. The patron saint climbed the mountain, Danish pirates held sway in the bay at one time, and Granuaile ruled its waves with buccaneering panache in the 16th century. In modern times, the Beatles bought one of the islands.
Sadek chose Inish Turk Beg, the name of which means “the little island of the wild boar”. It covers some 65 acres deep inside the mouth of the bay and is a five-minute power-boat ride from the shore. He immediately set about transforming it into a sanctuary where people could hide away and immerse themselves in a calming atmosphere.
It took him five years to implement the master plan that would make his utopian dream a reality. Sadek, a man of creative impulse, indulged in other activities on his island including the formation of a trad band, the development of a rarefied single malt whiskey, the organisation of painting and other artistic sessions, and the setting up of a stud for Connemara ponies near the mainland jetty.
With all the building materials having to be transported from the mainland and electricity carried on underwater cables, the completion of the project was a logistical feat resulting in one of the finest residential and holiday developments to come on any market.
It is believed that Sadek, who took part in the RTÉ reality TV programme The Secret Millionaire last year, is now living in London.
There are five houses on the island including a magnificent main residence. There are also reception and craft centres, a pier, a separate floating jetty, an all-weather football/basketball complex, facilities for a home cinema, a gym and games complex, a large indoor heated swimming pool and an outdoor sound system.
The main residence is an imaginatively designed contemporary two-storey house with six bedrooms, a number of spacious reception rooms and a music hall.
The manager’s house – the original cottage of the island – is a spacious two-storey structure with three bedrooms and three reception rooms, overlooking the original pier.
Also available to purchase, under separate negotiation, is Stud Cottage, located on the mainland by the Inish Turk Beg floating jetty at Rosstoughy Harbour, an inlet of Clew Bay. Stud Cottage is a large, modern home with four bedrooms and spacious living accommodation. It is set on about 25 acres overlooking the harbour.
Inish Turk Beg has a helicopter pad and is 65km from Knock Airport and about five miles from Westport, recently voted in The Irish Times the best place to live in Ireland.
Inish Turk Beg
Description: Five houses and leisure facilities on 65-acre island
Agents: Knight Frank and Sherry FitzGerald
BUY YOUR OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
There are a surprising number of islands for sale in Ireland and you don’t necessarily have to be super-rich to buy them - only very well off. Here’s a selection
Inisliroo on Upper Lough Erne, Derrylin, Fermanagh, £600,000 (€770,106), BTW Cairns.
One of 365 islands on Lough Erne, Inisliroo has 18 acres with its own private jetty and full planning permission for a 185 sq m (2,000 sq ft ) house. The present owner, businessman Noel Cox, bought the island five years ago. Previously owned by four generations of the Maguire family, their home remains in tact and is currently the only building on the island. After the Second World War the island was famous for its fruit production.
See btwcairns.com
Mermaid Isle, off the Ring of Kerry €2.95 million, Dominic J Daly
This is a slightly different proposition in that you get half a 26 acre island as well as 12 acres of mainland, and three additional acres of turbary used to fuel four turf-burning fireplaces. There's also a 4,500 sq ft (450 sq m) slate-clad main house recently built in the style of a medieval post and beam barn. An ancient fisherman's cottage has been completely refurbished by its present museum designer owner. Two boat launching slipways and moorings are also part of the deal,
See mermaidisle.net
Spanish Island, Baltimore, West Cork €600,000, Charles McCarthy and Dominic J Daly.
One of Carbery's 100 isles, Spanish Island, owned by a family who live in England, is a 130 acre island surrounded by Roaring Water Bay on the west and north and is a short boat trip from Baltimore fishing village. The only building on the island is the ruin of a stone-built farmhouse and there are a number of shingle beaches
The agents suggest future uses could be a sailing centre, marine activity centre or a private estate .
See charlesmccarthy.com
Shore Island, Shannon Estuary, Co Clare, €900,000, Dominic J Daly
This 30-acre island owned by a local farmer is a 10 minute boat ride from the Clare shore according to the selling agent. The island is currently used for grazing cattle and is surrounded by deep tidal waters and is accessible by boat at all times. Fresh water is pumped to the island.
There are a number of old ruins on the Island, "which could be helpful for planning permission purposes," says the agent., who says the island is most likely to be bought by someone "who values their privacy".
See dominicjdaly.com
... and one for rent
Rabbit Island, Galway Premier, Properties Ireland, €1,500 a week.
Set deep in the heart of mayfly country on Lough Corrib, Rabbit Island, a 26-acre Island has a fishing lodge dating from 1906 built by Lord Headley. The €1,500 a week rent includes use of a 19ft motorised lake boat . Owned by a UK businessman, the lodge can fit five comfortably and the island is accessed from Kenny's Bay, a 10 minute drive from Headford town .
See premierpropertiesireland.com for details
