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Profile
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 The Ballinacurra experience:
Ballinacurra is Kinsale's first upmarket "Private Residence" accommodation. Set within a walled garden with 10 foot high stone walls and with 25 acres of woodland and lawns, this estate is in a unique position to offer its guests "Private, Discreet and Exclusive" use of a country lodge. Built in 1770 and renovated between 2000 and 2003, Ballinacurra reopened mid-2003. Ballinacurra is a stylishly informal residence. The recently completed refurbishment has been sympathetic to the old world charm of the house whilst still combining the ethos of "East meets West meets Cork". |
 This is a 21st century take on the original Georgian style which highlighted the wanderlust of the Georgians and their passion for mixing antiques with treasured artefacts from abroad.The end result is a passionate interpretation of the best from the four corners of the world, producing an individual and eclectic style. This style, however, is not new to Ballinacurra. The house has had a colourful history of owners and residents - from an old Cork family dynasty, an English Colonel, retired British Counsel and even as a convent at one stage. |
 So the influences of many of these people and their passion for travel were well demonstrated in the house. None more amply demonstrated than by the wall paintings in the Danford Ballroom which is a Italian TrompL'oeil executed by John Danford in 1960. He also themed bedrooms to reflect his life in Japan, Africa and England. All bedrooms have their own unique furniture, mood and appointments - some with balconies, some with sitting rooms, some old, some new - which make the stay at Ballinacurra a truly unique experience. |
 The owners:
Des and Lisa McGahan returned to Ireland in 1998. For the last three years they have undertaken the sensitive restoration of Ballinacurra - as a "Private Residence" accommodation, a first for Kinsale. Northern Ireland born Des McGahan spent the previous 16 years in Asia where he jointly set up the award winning events agency PRISM. At one stage it was the largest events company on that continent.PRISM was acquired by global events company Octagon in 1997. |
 Specialising in large scale events such as the Hong Kong Sevens, the Johnnie Walker Golf Classic, the Ryder Cup and Heineken Music Horizons, PRISM handled all event management promotions and corporate hospitality for a large number of blue chip clients across Asia. In 1994 PRISM won the Best Business of the Year Award. Lisa McGahan was Regional Corporate Affairs Director for Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for 10 years focusing on Corporate Strategy and Public Relations. Between them, Des and Lisa have over 25 years experience in the hospitality marketplace. |
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