Agreement in principal to purchase Lucan House
SOUTH Dublin County Council has secured agreement in principle for the purchase of Lucan House – the residence of the Italian Ambassador.
Speaking at the recent monthly council meeting, outgoing chief executive Daniel McLoughlin said it is an “agreement in principle” and “subject to contract” but “potentially a good news story” in terms of economic development and tourism for the county.
Built in the late eighteenth century Lucan House is a seven bay two storey over basement country house.
News of the potential purchase is of interest in Lucan, such is the scale of the grounds and it’s proximity to the villlage.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr McLoughlin said the opportunity came up to purchase Lucan House and that members will be “aware of our ambition around tourism, and economic development in the Liffey Valley area”.
“As part of that ambition, we explored the opportunity to purchase Lucan House and I’m pleased to be able to confirm that subject to contract we have an agreement in principle to do that.
“I appreciate that that’s an important announcement in its own right but I’d also ask members to respect the fact it is agreement in principle and subject to contract, and that I won’t be commenting much beyond that, apart from saying to members I think it is potentially a good news story in terms of our economic development and tourism proposition for the county and beyond,” said McLoughlin.
Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) asked what might be the timescale for this when it becomes a formality.
Cllr Ed O’Brien (FF) said: “I hope it’s successful – it would be an incredible legacy to leave behind – fingers crossed it gets over the line.”
Gogarty later revealed on a Lucan Living Facebook post that when he was Mayor of South Dublin County, the then ambassador Serpi met him and the chief executive to discuss a number of matters pertaining to Lucan.
“One thing I did mention before is that the CEO asked for the council to be notified if the Italians were ever inclined to put the property up for sale,” said Gogarty.
“It is fair comment to say that the people of Lucan would vastly prefer for Lucan House to be in public ownership than end up being purchased privately.”
