Seeds for development
Though the rapid pace of development around Kilcullen seems to have slowed a little, there are seeds of further significant growth in the number of properties currently for sale in the community.
And we shouldn't forget the potential in the Cattle Mart itself. Don't be surprised if this comes on the market in the middle future.
Halfway down the hill on the north side of town, Hillside Cottage is now for auction with an advised minimum value of 450,000 euros.
The property is pretty well derelict, but is on 1,000 sq ft and is strategically located beside a vacant lot and other premises which might well be eventually bundled together to become a significant development. The vendor is currently suggesting it would be an ideal site for commercial/retail consideration.
Many future such developments in Kilcullen are likely to depend on how the imminent launch of The Market Square complex by Dunlea Developments goes.
It will be a signature event to the future of apartment living in what was not so long ago a very rural settlement where individual housing was the accepted norm. Owners of quite a few sites around town are likely holding back on plans just now while the massive development growth of the last few years settles down.
Other current opportunities in the Kilcullen area include two pubs. The Priory pub and restaurant run by the Wall family of Kilgowan was recently withdrawn from auction. It had been advertised with an asking price of 2m euros.
And the long-established Markeys of Milemill, trading as The Stray Inn since that name was attached when the premises was once used as a location for a film set in the Northern Ireland 'Troubles', goes for auction on 8 November in Keadeen Hotel. AMV is 1m euros.
Run by Ger Markey following the passing of his father, the pub was previously owned by the Schwer family, and was originally a coach house.
This writer has many memories of it being the first port of call when I was in the family undertaking business, after a funeral was over. Hot whiskies were the standard order of the day.
Brian Byrne.
