A planning application for a €175 million golf and holiday resort on a 300-acre estate in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has been lodged with Wexford County Council.
The resort, which would include a five-star, 150-bedroom hotel, has been proposed for Borrmount Manor, about three miles south of Enniscorthy on the N11.
Borrmount Manor is a Victorian manor house with a striking facade visible across the Slaney from the main Enniscorthy to Wexford road. The manor dates from about 1860 and replaces an earlier house on the grounds. About half of the house was demolished before the present owner, Mr Pat Doyle, acquiring the property in late 1996.
Today Borrmount contains just five bedrooms "and a few very big reception rooms and kitchens. It was a huge house visible from miles around but is still quite big - especially if you look at it from the front across the river from the road," said Mr Doyle. "It doesn't go back very far," he added. As it was a listed building, he said it would be refurbished and incorporated into the development, possibly as a golf club house.
Mr Doyle, who farms an extensive local holding, also has construction interests in Wexford. He has been joined in the venture by several Co Wexford businessmen.
Also included in the planning application are 210 houses and an apartment block providing a range of permanent and holiday home accommodation.
"What we are trying to do here is build the Mount Juliet of Wexford," Mr Doyle told The Irish Times yesterday.
Mr Doyle said the planning application was lodged last Friday but it was believed that it would be the end of 2005 before construction work would get under way. Construction is expected to take several years.
The golf course on the grounds will be developed into a "world-class facility". Mr Doyle said it was likely that the manor house would make a fine club house.
He added that the hotel would include a conference and leisure centre offering the latest in business facilities and spa treatments.
