Cashel Palace's billionaire owners have a sweet link to their luxury hotel

Cashel Palace is quickly earning itself a reputation as one of Ireland’s most luxurious and romantic hotels and there’s good reason for it.

The hotel’s billionaire Coolmore stud boss owner John Magnier and his wife Susan reopened the doors in 2022 after completing huge renovations but their link to the location goes way back.

Today’s top videos

As it turns out Susan’s father, Vincent O’Brien, the renowned horse trainer and six-time Derby winner, once owned the property in County Tipperary.

Sir Alex Ferguson With John And Susan Magnier. Pic: Dave Benett/Getty Images

Even sweeter, the couple had their first date by the fire in its entrance hall, according to the Irish Daily Mail. How lovely! John, 75, and Susan have now been married for almost 50 years after they tied the knot when he was 27.

Although one of the biggest families in racing and the former owners of Manchester United football club, the Magniers are very private about their personal lives and rarely speak about their lives outside of business.

Cashel Palace. Pic: Supplied

Their love story isn’t the only one to see Cashel Palace hold a prominent role as the hotel has played host to several high-profile weddings in recent years including Niamh de Brún’s sister Brid’s big day and Jessica O’Mahony’s step-sister Aoife’s.

Roz Purcell also celebrated her engagement to Zach Desmond at Cashel Palace although it remains to be seen where they’ll exchange vows. Erin McGregor and her fiancé Terry Kavanagh are also said to have picked the location for their wedding.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales present the St James’s Palace Stakes trophy to owners Mr. M Tabor and John Magnier during Royal Ascot 2015. Pic: Getty Images

Originally built in 1732 for the Archbishop of Cashel, the Palladian manor hosted a glittering clientele in its former life from real-life royals like a young Princess Diana to Hollywood starlets such as Elizabeth Taylor and even First Lady, Jackie Kennedy.

The original hotel closed its doors in 2015 and reopened in 2022. During the renovations and transformation into a Relais & Châteaux hotel, a new wing of rooms was added bringing the total tally to 42 bedrooms.

The Drawing Room, Cashel Palace Hotel. Pic: Naoise Culhane

Susan directly oversaw the renovations alongside London-based Emma Pearson Design Studio. Cashel Palace isn’t John and Susan’s first brush with hospitality as they also have the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados, which is a glamourous spot popular with sports and reality TV stars.

Bridal Suite, Cashel Palace Hotel. Pic: Naoise Culhane

Cashel Palace certainly has lots to celebrate this week as its restaurant the Bishop’s Buttery, which reopened in 2022 after the hotel received a multimillion-euro refurbishment, was awarded its first Michelin Star.

Three Irish restaurants earned the honour while a fourth received its second star.

You Might Also Like

The Bishop’s Buttery at Cashel Palace. Pic: Facebook

Three new stars of Irish cuisine prove Michelin judges have great taste