U2 bass player Adam Clayton gets green light for Kinsale mansion 

U2 bass player Adam Clayton has been granted planning permission, with 15 conditions, for his "retirement home" in Ringfinnan, south west of Kinsale town.

Cork County Council's assessment of the legendary guitarist's application to build a seven bedroom mansion on a site that he fell for as soon as he saw it, is that the proposed development is "in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development in the area".

The conditions imposed are run-of-the-mill, such as a ban on cutting or removal of trees and hedgerows between March 1 and August 31, to protect biodiversity; a requirement for clear sightlines of 80m in both directions from the proposed site entrance to ensure road safety, and a request for a timescale and phasing plan for implementation and completion of the permitted landscape strategy.

Mr Clayton is also required to install protective fencing, prior to the commencement of development activity, in a manner that provides protection to "the critical root zone of trees to be protected" and the fencing is to remain until relevant works are completed, as a biodiversity protection measure.

Other conditions relate to a development levy of approximately €10,500; a wastewater management plan and a responsibility for cleaning any mud, debris or other spillages on public roads arising from construction works.

Mr Clayton's application – lodged on his behalf in June by Coakley O'Neill Town Planning Ltd - states that when the rock star first saw the Ringfinnan plot he “recognised that it was an ideal place to create his retirement home”. 

The site is southwest of Kinsale town centre, on the opposite side of the Bandon River, across the Archdeacon Duggan Bridge, and close to the Kinsale Garden of Remembrance for 9/11.

The design statement by architects Rundell Associates state that Clayton’s brief is for “a modern, sustainable, and comfortable family home”, with step-free access throughout the main living areas and principal bedroom “so that it could serve as a lifetime home”.

The seven-bed house will include an underground car park, a gym, a health spa, a games and media room, and several kitchen and dining areas. 

The principal bedroom on the ground floor comes with balcony, supersize dressing room, and en suite.

The building itself, consisting of a north and south wing, will be “reminiscent of local farmsteads and courtyard typologies”, with multiple structures rather than a single mass, with the aim of minimising visual impact.

It will replace a two-storey “ruined homestead” and surrounding outbuildings and will extend over three floors.

The ambitious nature of the outdoor plan includes a walled garden, fountain/water features, multiple paved terraces, and multiple soft landscape terracing.

The landscaping will embrace “the wild nature of the site, with pathways formed through the heather, and additional planting introduced to screen the house from overlooking”. 

As part of the development, 50 PV panels mounted on ground mounted arrays and five micro wind turbines will be installed.

The house will be built using “local materials”, including varied use of dry stone walling and timber cladding, with a mix of traditional slate pitched roofs and green sedum flat roofs.

Mr Clayton has had his sights trained on the Kinsale area for a number of years: He was the underbidder for chocolate-box pretty Annefield House at Ballinclashet Creek in Oysterhaven, which went on the market in 2023. 

It was reported in the Irish Examiner at the time that a US buyer jetted into to gazump a €1.85m deal, topping up it up by about €1m.

The low-slung pristine period property sold for €2.775m, having come to market for €1.5m.

It is understood a key attraction at Annefield House for Clayton was privacy; the Ringfinnan site, which runs down to the Bandon River, offers the same seclusion. It is understood a sibling of Clayton also has a property interest in the area.