Big plans for Colette's Lisselan Estate

THERE’S no denying that Lisselan Estate just outside Clonakilty – which includes acres of native woodlands, gardens, a French Chateau-style house and a nine-hole golf course set along the Ardigeen River – lives up the phrase ‘a hidden treasure’.

The Southern Star recently got a sneak peak inside the  estate gates, with an exclusive tour of the house and gardens in the company of new owner and blackpudding guru, Clonakilty Foods chief executive, Colette Twomey. (We were even accompanied by Ginger the cat, who calls the estate home.)

Colette purchased Lisselan Estate last year in a reported €3m deal, but it was only last month that she unveiled plans for the Golf Club.

There’s been much speculation across West Cork about her plans for the eight-bedroom house, the contents of which she also purchased when she bought the historic estate.

With stunning views of the golf course and woodlands, the potential for such a stunning property is vast. The chauteau-style building includes a fully-stocked library, a fairytale-type turret, and even a Japanese-themed room.

‘Our immediate plans are for the golf club, but long term we will have plans for the house,’ said Colette. ‘It’s a beautiful house and it has stood the test of time. It is over 200 years old, and very well preserved.’

Colette says that, at the moment, she is just enjoying the house. ‘We have had family and friends staying here but we will have a view of making it commercial down the road. We have lots of ideas and people are making suggestions, too, but we haven’t made a decision yet.’

Having rebranded Lisselan Golf Club as Clonakilty Golf Club, Colette – who is also the lady captain of the club – said they have ambitious plans for the course, which also has major potential.

‘We currently have a nine-hole course and we plan to initially make it into a 12-hole course. We have the land around here as well, with a view to making it into an 18-hole course eventually,’ Colette told The Star.

‘We’re also renovating the clubhouse at the moment and our emphasis and finances are going into enhancing Clonakilty Golf Club. Of course, we want to attract new members. It’s a beautiful spot here and it’s a hidden treasure. We would love people to come here and have a look, with a view to joining the membership.’

The colours of the club have also been changed to tie in the maroon and cream colours that as so well associated with the famous Clonakilty Blackpudding brand.

‘They work well for our brand, so hopefully they will do the same for the Club,’ added Colette.