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# dream home
Suir winner: This ivy-clad 18th century mansion is a beauty by the riverside
Altavilla dates back to 1790 and has only ever been home to three families.
WITH AN IVY-CLAD facade and a sunny yellow front door, Altavilla makes a great first impression.
Dating back to 1790, the six-bed property was substantially remodelled in the 1860s and has only ever been home to three families.
It sits on 22 acres of grounds on the outskirts of Cahir in Co Tipperary, including frontage to and single bank fishing rights over the River Suir.
The grounds are simply beautiful, with a winding tree-lined avenue through the parkland leading to the front door. There is an abundance of mature trees throughout the 22 acres, with records showing that more than 900 trees of various species were planted in 1803.
The main lawns extend to the southern side of the house, with colourful rose beds and numerous gravelled pathways here, as well as a walled garden. The remaining acreage is made up of farmland which gently slopes towards the river.
Stepping inside, the 5,339 sq ft accommodation exudes a luxury feel from the moment you enter the wine-coloured reception hall. The drawing room is located off here, with large shutter windows overlooking the gardens and filling the space with natural light.
This room is beautifully decorated, with an ornate white marble mantelpiece and gilded furniture. The dining room is equally impressive thanks to its feature wallpaper, black marble mantelpiece, dining alcove and space for a table to seat 12.
The final reception room is the living room/library, where there’s a large fireplace and built-in bookshelves. The kitchen is a smaller space, with fitted wall and floor cupboards along the walls.
Moving to the basement/garden level, there are three main rooms and a wine cellar in here. The first floor comprises five spacious double bedrooms and a family bathroom with a cast iron bath. The sixth and final bedroom is on the second floor, with a study also located here.
To the rear of the house, there’s a small kitchen courtyard with a larder, two scullery rooms, a fruit and vegetable store and two other small storage rooms. Another courtyard – which had stables, a coach house and stores – requires total restoration.
Altavilla is an easy 15-minute walk to Cahir town, where there is a pleasant selection of shops, cafes and other amenities.
With picturesque grounds, an elegant interior and an impressive exterior, Altavilla ticks many boxes for buyers who are looking for something spectacular.
