With its dramatic coastline and verdant hills, Ireland’s County Cork has long been a magnet for celebrities wanting a break from the limelight.
However probably the most famous star to find a hideaway in County Cork is the queen of Hollywood romance, Maureen O’Hara, who has owned a spellbinding property on the coast for more than 45 years.
Spellbinding: Maureen O’Hara’s house nestles in the stunning coastal scenery in County Cork, Ireland
The movie legend, 94, has taken the painful decision to put the home, called Lugdine Park, on the market
Now, at the age of 94, the movie legend has taken the painful decision to put the home, called Lugdine Park, on the market and live full-time in the United States.
She said: ‘I have so many wonderful memories over these many years at Lugdine, and now it’s time to pass her on to another lucky family who will cherish her as much as I have.’
Once considered the world’s most beautiful woman, Dublin-born O’Hara is relocating to Idaho to live with her daughter Bronwyn.
‘I have the most wonderful neighbours a person can hope for in Glengarriff,’ she said. ‘We’ve been together for so long and love each other as old friends. Everybody has always been very respectful of my privacy if I want it, but I can’t wait to see everyone whenever I arrive.
Lugdine Park, which was built in 1935, boasts five bedrooms, 35 acres of land and two private islands
O’Hara made five movies with John Wayne, including Wings of Eagles (pictured)
O’Hara’s big break came when she auditioned for a movie role in London, after she had studied at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
Oscar-winning actor Charles Laughton happened upon her screen test and was captivated by her expressive eyes. He recommended her for the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock’s British-made 1939 film Jamaica Inn.
She starred in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, How Green Was My Valley, The Black Swan, Sinbad The Sailor and Miracle On 34th Street.
She also made five movies with John Wayne, including The Quiet Man, in which Wayne played an Irish-born American returning to his homeland.
She has been married three times, having her daughter with her second husband, the film director William Houston-Price.
One place that has been a constant for her over the past half-century is her vast home in West Cork.
Unique features: Home of Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara, two private islands and private beach, 35 acres of land.
Maureen O’Hara last set foot in the property in 2012. She originally put it on the market for €2.3 million last year, but has now dropped that to €2.1 million.
She told the Irish Times: “I have too many wonderful memories of Glengarriff to pick just one. One is starting my golf tournament that goes on every summer. All of us, the whole village, pulled together to get it going. And it still is today. You miss Ireland for all your life when you leave. I miss looking out my bedroom window at the boats coming in and eating at Casey’s.”
The 94-year-old Quiet Man star has entertained a several celebrities and VIPs at the property including former Mayor of New York Ed Koch. A previous owner of the house before O’Hara was William Martin Murphy, founder of the Irish Independent.
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