The former Becketts Hotel in Leixlip, Co Kildare is on the market for €1.75m and offers a redevelopment opportunity.
The property includes Cooldrinagh House, which holds historical significance as the birthplace of Samuel Beckett’s mother.
Plans for the site involve restoring Cooldrinagh House while adding new facilities, including bedroom blocks and an event space.
The proposed expansion aims to increase the site capacity to 120 rooms, with attention to minimising noise pollution from the motorway.
The redevelopment plan features landscaped gardens and walkways to enhance the overall environment of the property.
History of Becketts
Becketts Hotel in Leixlip was originally part of a group of companies that also included the Dobbins Restaurant in Dublin, which was put into examinership in 2016. The hotel, located in Cooldrinagh House, was purchased and refurbished by the O’Byrne Brothers, who also owned Dobbins.
Cooldrinagh House, where Becketts Hotel is located, was purchased in 1996 by the O’Byrne Brothers, fully refurbished and opened in September 1997.
The group of companies that operated both Dobbins Restaurant and Becketts Hotel was placed in examinership by the High Court in 2016.
During its trading era, the hotel played on its historical background tied to its Georgian architecture and literary connections. The building, dating back to around the 1760s, is a well-preserved Georgian manor described as “almost a mansion” with imposing pillars, a flight of stone steps, and a cast-iron balustrade. It was refurbished by Samuel Beckett’s grandfather, Samuel Robison Roe around 1874 and leased to Richard and Rebecca Louisa Bobbet after his death.
It is closely linked to the renowned Irish playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett, whose mother, Maria (May) Jones Roe, was born at Cooldrinagh House on March 1, 1871. May held a deep affection for the property, later naming her family home in Foxrock, Dublin, “Cooldrinagh” after it, meaning “the quiet place of the black thorn.”
Cooldrinagh House was converted into a contemporary hotel and restaurant, preserving its Georgian elegance while incorporating modern amenities. The transformation included the addition of three conservatories to create a spacious, light-filled restaurant, which has gained a strong local following. The hotel featured 10 en-suite rooms with contemporary design, offering free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and coffee/tea-making facilities, alongside a terrace and garden area. Its restaurant, Becketts Restaurant, serves European and Irish cuisine, including steaks, seafood, and salads, with a continental breakfast included for guests.
The hotel used Beckett-related materials, such as books about the writer, enhancing the experience for visitors like English literature enthusiasts. It earned a reputation as an exclusive wedding venue, offering bespoke services and closing to the public during events to ensure privacy for up to 120 guests.
Redevelopment plans
According to Lisney’s: The proposed redevelopment of Becketts Hotel seeks to restore the historic building while enhancing its facilities with new bedroom blocks, a restaurant, and an event space. The expansion will increase the site capacity to 120 rooms, with the bedroom blocks strategically positioned away from the motorway to minimize noise. Their design will be carefully structured to reduce visual impact, preserve mature trees, and maintain the sites historic character. The project also includes landscaped gardens, walkways, and outdoor spaces to enhance the overall setting.
