The new owners of a spectacular beachfront property on 85 acres in west Donegal have been revealed.
Tara and Christopher Vecellio, an American couple, bought the Cruit Island holding for a cool €1.5M in May, 2024.
It includes a beautiful four-bedroom farmhouse, constructed in 1934, and a private beach close to Daniel and Majella O’Donnell’s former home. There is also an old granary building and two historic derelict cottages, one of which is thatched.
At the time of the sale, handled by Dublin firm Savills, Donegal Daily revealed that the new owners were based overseas and planned to renovate the property while keeping the historical features of the buildings intact.
This week the couple, who have strong Donegal connections, lodged ambition plans with Donegal County Council for the refurbishment and restoration of a number of the buildings.
The two-store house, longhouse and thatched cottage. Pic: Savills.
The proposed development will include the refurbishment and rethatching of the thatched cottage as well as the construction of a new single storey kitchen, dining and living area and lightweight link building to the cottage.
There are also plans for the refurbishment of the vacant two-storey house, the granary building (for an artist’s studio) and the beach house.
In addition, the Vecellios are also seeking permission for the demolition and reconstruction of the long cottage, and providing a built link between it and the dwelling-house.
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The granary building, part of which will be converted for use as an artist’s studio. Pic: Savills.
According to documents lodged with the application by Allan Curran Architects in Donegal Town: “We and our clients are keen that the site continues to evolve in a way that respects the past while adapting to modern life.”
The Cruit Island Golf Course bounds the property to the north-west. The island is connected to the mainland at Belcruit by a bridge which was built at the time of World War II.
Council planners are due to make a decision on the application by late September.