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John Gilligan's former estate back in business as elite showjumping centre
The site has been refurbished and is holding qualifiers for the Irish Masters this weekend.
SHOWJUMPING QUALIFIERS ARE this weekend being held at the Emerald International Equestrian Centre.
The site, which is the former residence of high-profile criminal John Gilligan, has now been transformed into a state-of-the-art showjumping facility.
Qualifiers have been taking place over the last week and are in anticipation of the official opening of the centre, which will happen on the 14th of next month.
Next month the Irish Masters showjumping competition will take place at the centre, which will have a prize fund of €55,000.
A spokesperson for the Emerald International Equestrian Centre said, “we have most of the refurbishment done… these are qualifiers at this stage. The first full event will be on in a few weeks time.”
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, a spokesperson for the Criminal Assets Bureau said:
The CAB are not associated with Emerald International Equestrian Centre anymore but we wish them all the best with the new venture. A good and prosperous future we hope they have.
The site, which is based in Mucklon, Co Kildare, has undergone an extensive face lift since being sold by the Criminal Assets Bureau in the spring of 2013. The centre was bought by showjumper James Buckley for around €500,000.
Qualifiers being held this Sunday are free for the public to attend and cover a range of different classifications. The indoor showjumping arena provides seating for 3,000 people.
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