The former palace and grounds of the Bishop of Ossory in Kilkenny city is expected to be redeveloped into a housing estate when it is sold through agents Lisney and Fitzgerald Auctioneers.

The agencies are seeking €2.5 million for the palace, Sion House, and a second detached house as well a retreat centre and ancillary accommodation extending to 1,516sq m (16,322sq ft). The buildings stand on 5.6 hectares (14 acres) at Sion Road, located just off the Dublin road, and have planning permission for 27 houses with further development potential on part of the site fronting directly on to the river Nore. The lands have 238m of road frontage and three separate entrances. The bishop's place, a substantial two-storey detached house with a distinctive copper roof, was built in the 1970s. The retreat centre could be converted into residential use.