U2 bassist Adam Clayton has applied for planning permission to build a sprawling 795-square-meter retirement home in Ringfinnan, east of Kinsale, County Cork, adding his name to a growing roster of high-profile figures investing in the West Cork coastal town. The proposed development comes as Clayton and his bandmates Bono, The Edge, and Larry Mullan mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.
Planning Application Details for the Ringfinnan Site
Clayton’s planning application, submitted to local authorities with a decision due on October 21, outlines a seven-bedroom residence that spans approximately seven times the size of a standard home. Planning files state that Clayton recognized the plot overlooking the Bandon River as an ideal setting for his retirement after viewing it. The site sits near the Kinsale Garden of Remembrance for 9/11, which commemorates the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
Architectural designs prepared by Rundell Associates detail a structure featuring a north and south wing reminiscent of local farmsteads and courtyard typologies. The plans aim to minimize visual impact by dividing the building into multiple structures rather than a single mass. The three-floor design will replace a two-storey ruined homestead and surrounding outbuildings, incorporating step-free access throughout main living areas and the principal bedroom to function as a lifetime home.
The extensive amenities listed in the application include an underground car park, a gym, a health spa, a games and media room, and multiple kitchen and dining areas. The grounds will feature a walled garden, water features, paved terraces, and soft landscape terracing designed to blend with the wild nature of the site. Builders will utilize local materials such as dry stone walling and timber cladding, alongside traditional slate pitched roofs and green sedum flat roofs. Environmental installations include 50 ground-mounted photovoltaic panels, five micro wind turbines, and a new wastewater treatment system.
Before targeting the Ringfinnan location, Clayton pursued other properties in the area. Records show he was the underbidder for Annefield House at Ballinclashet Creek in Oysterhaven when it came to the market in 2023, before a US buyer purchased the property for €2.775m. Privacy served as a primary draw for both locations.
The development in Kinsale follows a broader pattern of high-net-worth individuals purchasing property in the region. US billionaire James Berwind has invested more than €20m in Kinsale real estate over recent years, recently entering a sale agreed arrangement exceeding €6m for Prospect Villa, a restored Victorian home in Scilly. Nike heir Travis Knight also purchased Ocean Breeze, a property above Scilly, for €4.5m in 2023. Meanwhile, singer songwriter Dermot Kennedy purchased a home on the eastern side of Kinsale for €2.25m.
Project Specifications and Timeline
- Location: Ringfinnan, east of Kinsale, County Cork, overlooking the Bandon River.
- Size: 795 square meters across three floors, featuring seven bedrooms.
- Design Features: Underground parking, a health spa, a gym, media rooms, and step-free access for long-term accessibility.
- Sustainability: 50 ground-mounted PV panels, five micro wind turbines, and localized natural landscaping.
- Decision Date: Planning authorities are scheduled to rule on the application by October 21.
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