The 66-year-old says he’s all partied out at Drayton Manor as he puts his mansion up for sale with a €2.9m price tag
Drayton Manor, which includes 11 bedrooms, a ballroom and a private pub, is on the market for €2.9m.
“I loved the place, but at the end of the day, when you’re heading to 67 and the house is 20,000 square feet, it’s time for a change,” Gerald told the Sunday World.
“It’s a magnificent place, but it’s just become too big for me.
“Of course I’ll miss it, I’ve had fabulous times there. But you move on. I’ve no doubt the next place I move on to I’ll have fabulous times in too.
Gerald Kean says he has loved his time in the Co Wicklow mansion
“But if it doesn’t get the right price, I’m not going to sell for a penny less than what it’s worth, and if it doesn’t sell at that I’m happy enough to stay on there.”
Kean admits the mansion has previously been for sale a couple of times, but didn’t feel the timing was right.
“It was up for sale a few years ago and there were a number of interested parties, and I decided not to sell at that stage,” he explains.
“I wasn’t really totally committed. But now I’m in a different position.
“It’s a huge property and I don’t have a need for a place with 11 bedrooms, a ballroom and bar and everything.
Drayton Manor boasts 11 bedrooms and even an Irish pub
“So I’ve put it on the market and we’ll see how it goes. This time I’m more keen to sell it.”
Drayton Manor is located in a hollow on a bend of Three Mile Water river in Co Wicklow in a spectacular setting, tucked behind electric gates.
The mansion was built in 2007 after Gerald bought the property on two acres from the late developer, banker, publican, and friend of the former Taoiseach CJ Haughey, Patrick Gallagher for about €2m.
The original property comprises the central part of Drayton Manor, and it is estimated that a further €2.5m was spent on the mansion’s refurbishment and extension.
“I would say €2.9m is a conservative figure of what it’s worth, and it will sell for a lot more,” he insists.
Kean laughed at any suggestion he’s being forced to sell the house because of financial pressure.
“Broke? I’ve heard that all my life. Not at all,” he laughed.
“Look, as I said, I’m heading to 67 and the house is 20,000 square feet, so I don’t need to be there.”
Drayton Manor’s Irish pub
As well as the 11 bedrooms, the mansion boasts a ballroom that seats 260, a 54-seat cinema, a cigar room and three bars, including a large pub-style counter which was originally in the old 108 pub in Rathgar.
It comes with working taps, upholstered booths, bar stools and standard-issue pub carpet, and has hosted the lawyer’s celebrity friends in the sport and entertainment worlds.
Another bar services the octagonal ballroom. Overlooking the gardens and man-made island outside, it features a stage, function tables and a mezzanine balcony.
Among the acts who’ve performed there at charity bashes include Simple Minds, Aslan and Hothouse Flowers.
Gerald previously lived with his ex-wife Clodagh in a mansion in Killiney.
Asked where he’d like to move to, he replied: “I’ll move towards the city, somewhere on the southside. I would love a penthouse and there’s a couple I’d be interested in.”
He admits he will miss Drayton Manor.
“I’ve had so many parties there, but I’m kind of worn out from all of those parties, which were pretty much every month,” he reflects.
“Chris de Burgh took three years to sell his house. So you just don’t know about these type of things.”
Kean’s adult daughter Kirsten is now back living in Ireland, having previously been located in Miami.
Earlier this year Gerald and Kirsten attended the funeral of his former long term partner Lisa Murphy, who died from breast cancer.
Drayton Manor’s ballroom
Twelve years ago Gerald hosted a 40th birthday party for Lisa in Drayton Manor, at which the late Sinead O’Connor performed for invited guests.
“I’m sure I’ll be having lots more parties if or when I move to my new place,” he smiled.
“I’m in great form, I’m doing a lot of charity work. I’ve a big event in Cork in November, which I’m very grateful for.”
Kean will get a Man Of The Year Award 2024 at the Hi Style awards for his contribution to supporting charitable and civic organisations in Ireland for the past 40 years.
He is currently dating but wants to keep the name of his girlfriend private.
“I’m seeing a beautiful lady. I’m very happy, I couldn’t be happier,” he says.
