#WaterfordIslandProperty – The Irish Times reports that a receiver has put the luxury island based Waterford Castle Hotel, 18-hole golf course and 48 self-catering guest lodges on the market.

The profitable Waterford Castle Hotel on the privately owned The Island in Waterford Estuary is to offered for sale on the international market after being put into receivership by Nama. The sale will include an 18-hole golf course on the 310-acre island as well as a clubhouse and 48 garden lodges.

Marcus Magnier of Colliers International is to seek in excess of €4.5 million for a unique property that ran into trading difficulties following the property crash in 2008. It was owned by a business consortium, which ran up debts of almost €34 million with AIB before a provisional liquidator was appointed 15 months ago.

Since then business has picked up considerably and, according to one insider, the resort showed a "strong operating profit" in the past year on a turnover estimated at €3.5 million to €4 million. The improved business was due in part to the better than usual weather in the summer months, when the three-bedroom golf lodges attracted weekly rates of up to €800.

The sale will include all fixtures, fittings and equipment, with the exception of the island ferry, which will be sold separately for €700,000.

The ferry as previously reported on Afloat.ie, operates a round- the-clock service and carries up to a dozen cars as well as passengers on the three-minute crossing.

New owners might look at the feasibility of providing a bridge across the estuary now that much cheaper construction procedures have been devised.

For much more the newspaper covers further details of the property and history of the island, by clicking HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - A private island in Clew Bay once owned by John Lennon could be yours for just €200,000.

Dorinish Island, among the most westerly of Clew Bay's islands – of which there's said to be one for every day of the year – was snapped up by the late former Beatle in 1967 as a retreat from his hectic rock'n'roll lifestyle.

But Lennon never actually built a holiday home on the island, and it was sold on to its current owners by Yoko Ono after her husband's death in 1980.

The last time Dorinish was actually inhabited was in the late 1800s, when marine pilots who guided ships into nearby Westport Harbour set up their homes there.

But that might change in the hands of the right owner and the requisite planning permission!

Sherry FitzGerald has more on this unique island property HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - A first-floor apartment with a large balcony facing onto Galway Bay could be yours for €235,000.

The Galway Advertiser reports on No 13 Croit na Mara, a 75sqm abode overlooking the famous promenade in Salthill, within walking distance of Galway city centre.

The apartment boats two double bedrooms with one en-suite, plus a main bathroom, an open-plan kitchen/dining/living area and a utility room, with gas central heating and a B3 rating for energy performance.

Viewing is by appointment with Sherry FitzGerald, and more details are available HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - The Old Coastguard Station in Dromard, Co Sligo is back on the market for anyone interested in owning a piece of Ireland's maritime heritage..

The historic five-bedroom property on seven acres with some 1,000ft of sea frontage and spectacular views over Sligo Bay "would make an ideal home for both busy and creative people" says agent Ganly Walters, which is seeking €1.8 million - down from the €2.175 million asking price in the summer of 2014.

Independent.ie has more on the history of the building, which dates from 1873 but was recently completely refurbished internally though retains its Gothic windows and entranceway, as well as the old station watchtower that now serves as a utility room, and a stone boathouse and slipway with boat moorings.

#WaterfrontProperty - Fancy owning your own island in one of Ireland's largest lakes? Staff Island in Upper Lough Erne could be yours for £125,000 (€157,500), as the News Letter reports.

With zoning restrictions preventing the building of anything more than a small cabin on the 10-acre wooded islet at Knockninny Quay in Co Fermanagh, it won't provide for a palatial hideaway.

But the island property could make the perfect "weekend retreat for a well-heeled boat-owner". And it may also be of interest to public bodies such as the RSPB for its potential as a nature reserve.

The News Letter has more on the story HERE.

#Tourism - A Baltimore maritime group says Fáilte Ireland's commitment to coastal tourism "rings very hollow" in light of its proposed sale of the former Glenans sail training school premises in the West Cork town.

Last September Afloat.ie reported on the decision by the French sail training group, one of the biggest such operators in Ireland, to close its bases at Collanmore and Baltimore.

The Baltimore location had operated since 1969 in a redbrick building that was once the southern terminus of the Skibbereen branch line, according to The Irish Times.

But Fáilte Ireland, which took over ownership of the waterfront property from Cork-Kerry Tourism, is "determined to put the station and allied facilities ... on the open market" for sale to to the "highest bidder", says Micheál O'Meara, chair of the Baltimore Maritime Centre/Glenua sail training group.

O'Meara adds that the decision flies in the face of Fáilte Ireland's commitment to the Wild Atlantic Way initiative, as the Old Station House "is a key anchor of the project" with potential to provide maritime education and training alongside sailing courses.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - Christie's Real Estate is currently offering a number of exclusive waterfront properties in the west and south west that will appeal to the more well-heeled homebuyer looking for some tranquility with their luxury.

First up is East Ferry Lodge in Midleton, Co Cork, an impressive home on the shores of Cork Harbour that comes with a detached home office, a guest apartment, an outdoor swimming pool with a hot tub and raised viewing decks, a barbecue terrace and even an orchard.

And that's not counting the two-car garage, wine grotto and boat ramp and dock to make the most of the waterside location - all with a fairly reasonable asking price of €1,300,000.

Slightly further up the market is Derrynid Cove near Kenmare, Co Kerry, which is home to one of Ireland's "most spectacular unspoilt natural gardens" and comes with its own private cove and pier.

On offer for €2,350,000 as is, there are additional purchase options of a guest lodge with studio, and a six-hectare area of woodland over the road.

Back to Cork, and €3,500,000 could buy you Aghadown, a classical Georgian mansion near Skibbereen with dramatic, panoramic coastal views previously enjoyed by owners and residents such as the Stuart royal dynasty.

The property comprises the 985-sqm main house, a central courtyard and two walled gardens with a tennis court, hot tub, gym and a private floating jetty in nine acres of rolling grounds.

If even that level of luxury isn't exclusive enough, perhaps you'll be interested in your own island - specifically Little Black Island, off Belmullet in Co Mayo.

Accessible by boat from Blacksod Pier on the mainland, the island comprises some 66 acres of grassland ringed by a quartzite rock fringe that currently serves as a natural bird sanctuary. Subject to planning permission, there may be a fantastic opportunity to construct a unique property on the island.

#WaterfrontProperty - With peaceful views over Galway Bay, a spacious four-bed detached home in Oranmore is sure to entice.

The Galway Advertiser details the specs of 56 Renville Village, which is on the market for €200,000 via Winters Property Management.

Boasting three en suites, a large open-plan living area and a superb location on a quiet cul-de-sac just a few minutes' walk from the local primary school - and a short car ride to Galway City proper - it could make the perfect home for a growing family.

More details on the property, including photos, are available on Property.ie HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - Spectacular views of Galway Bay are just one attraction of a spacious two-bed apartment now on the market in Salthill.

Boasting a dual aspect over the water and Galway Golf Club, 26 Dun na Carraige is located in an exclusive development on mature landscaped grounds adjacent to the beauty of Salthill's promenade - and only a short distance from Galway city centre.

The second-floor apartment itself is fitted with semi-solid oak floors in the hall and open-plan living/dining area, a fitted kitchen with granite worktops, plus a tiled bathroom and en-suite, the latter serving one of two double bedrooms, and balconies to the front and rear.

Mullery Auctioneers says the property would make and idea home or retirement home, or even a weekend retreat considering the wealth of local amenities.

26 Dun na Carraige is on the market for €275,000 and viewing is by appointment only through Mullery Auctioneers. For more details see HERE.

#WaterfrontProperty - The Galway Independent highlights a "modern luxury home" on the market in Oranmore, Co Galway that might tempt anyone with a longing for the sea.

The 2,600 sq ft four-bed home at 19 Oran Island lies on the eastern edge of Galway Bay and its breathtaking vistas.

A short drive from Galway city proper, it's also within walking distance of Oranmore village and Galway Bay Sailing Club.

The house is ready to move into, and comprises a tiled entrance hall, living room, kitchen/diner, study, utility room and sunroom, plus four bedrooms (two en-suite) and a master bathroom on the first floor, and a converted attic space.

The detached home is on a quiet cul-de-sac and comes with an enclosed rear garden and patio area, making the perfect home for a family.

19 Oran Island has an asking price of €380,000 and is available to view through agents O'Donnellan & Joyce. For more on the property click HERE.