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4 of a kind
4 of a kind: Grand country manors on the market right now
Fancy lording it up at Michael Flatley’s 12-bedroom home in Co Cork? Now you can.
UNDOUBTEDLY A MAJOR part of Ireland’s heritage, people take note when a country estate hits the property market.
From dramatic sprawling lawns and walled gardens to period features, lording it up in one of Ireland’s grandest manors is a dream for many of us.
This week, we’ve rounded up four impressive historic properties that don’t hold back on space or amazing views and that each have their own stories to tell…
Fermoy, Co Cork
Castle Hyde may ring a bell to those tapped in to the property market. The impressive 12 bedroom, 12 bathroom stately home, sitting on the banks of the Blackwater River, has, once again, been put on the market by dancer-turned-movie star, Michael Flatley. The Palladian style home underwent an extensive renovation almost 2o years ago that reportedly cost The Lord of the Dance around €30 million.
As it’s south facing, natural light floods the large rooms with high ceilings. A swimming pool, a croquet court, a fishing deck and a tennis court complete the picture of this lavish home that sits on 150 acres. With no shortage of walking trails, Castle Hyde is secluded, yet just a ten minute drive from the M8 and Cork city is just 46 km away.
It’s now the market for €12,500,000.
Portlaw, Co Waterford
Dating back to 1863, the main house of Rocketts Castle is a secluded six bed, six bathroom home surrounded by 250 acres of land, about a half an hour drive from Waterford city. As a Norman settlement, parts of the estate, like the round tower, date back to the 13th century.
The estate includes a fishing lodge that’s home to a spa, sauna and steam room, along with five bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. Water enthusiasts can take advantage of the slipway that gives access to the River Suir perfectly suited to fishing, boating and even water skiing. A garden cottage resides within a walled garden that’s home to a helipad, a playground and two tennis courts, adding even more to this lavish abode.
Donabate, Co Dublin
Just half an hour from Dublin surrounded by 80 acres of land is Seafield House, an impressive refurbished mansion. Built over 300 years ago and Palladian in style, it was originally designed for the High Sheriff of Dublin, Benedict Arthur, before it was bought by the Hely-Hutchinson family.
Current owners, Liam and Kaye Cronin, bought the eight bed, nine bathroom home in 1996 and should be commended for their tireless work. They rewired, replumbed and reroofed as well as restored the facades, bathrooms and bedrooms. All the while, Seafield’s original features were retained.
Baltinglass, Co Wicklow
About 5 km from the Wicklow town of Baltinglass sits Fortgranite, a home that has no shortage of interesting family ties. Fortgranite’s current owners, the Dennis family, are direct descendants of author, Jonathan Swift and also have connections to the Shakespearean scholar Edgar Flower. The family home is now on the market for the first time since it was built in the 1720s.
Sitting on about 341 acres, the estate is accessed through a gate lodge that leads to an avenue set in the parkland surrounding the main house. Remodeled in the 1870s and then upgraded in 1969, 11 bedrooms and four bathrooms make up the main house, yet a collection of renovated gate lodges add even more accommodation options to the pot.
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