NESTLED WITHIN NINE acres of sheltered grounds and including a collection of outbuildings packed with potential, Bayview House is a country house escape that’s sure to garner some attention from buyers looking for a grand home.

Dating to about 1860, it’s now on the market for €1,600,000. 

From the word go, the splendour and history are obvious. Decorative wrought-iron gates open onto a long, curving avenue, with grass paddocks stretching away on either side and mature trees framing the first glimpse of the house. Elevated above the surroundings, the striking three-bay home extends to 297 m².

Its architectural character is clear right away. Timber sash windows with limestone sills bring symmetry to the façade, while ornate cornicing and other period details add richness to the interior. It’s an elegant house, but not one that feels overly formal or precious. Instead, its generous rooms and flexible layout suggest a home designed to accommodate both busy family life and large parties.

The main reception rooms make the most of the building’s size. Dual-aspect drawing and dining rooms are filled with natural light, while a more intimate sitting room provides a comfortable retreat. The kitchen and dining area opens onto a garden terrace, creating an easy connection with the grounds and offering a natural setting for outdoor meals.

A utility room and guest cloakroom complete the ground floor. To the back, a private courtyard is joined by a two-storey mews building, currently used for storage but full of possibilities for future use, subject to planning permission, of course.

Upstairs, the five bedrooms are bright and well-proportioned. Every room enjoys an outlook over either the countryside or the estuary, giving each its own atmosphere. The main bedroom has an en suite bathroom, while the remaining bedrooms are served by a family bathroom. A further versatile room could become a home office, playroom or studio and benefits from its own direct access to garden level.

The house, however, is only one part of the story. Bayview’s ancillary buildings extend to an impressive 427 m² and form an exceptionally complete reminder of the estate’s working past. Arranged around a cobble-locked courtyard are a coach house, hay shed, five stables and a series of stone-built stores.

Most interesting of all is the old two-storey mill. Extending to 100 m², it requires restoration, but its character and proportions present an exciting opportunity. Depending on the necessary permissions, it could be reimagined as guest accommodation, a creative studio, a home office or an entirely separate dwelling.

For buyers with equestrian hobbies, the stables and well-drained paddocks add another dimension to the property.

Despite this feeling of seclusion, Bayview House is really well-connected. Mornington Beach and the coastline at Bettystown and Laytown are within easy reach, offering opportunities for walking, horse riding and water sports. Golfers have several courses nearby, including Laytown & Bettystown and County Louth Golf Club at Baltray, while the area also has rugby, hockey, rowing, soccer and GAA clubs.

Families are particularly well catered for, with four schools within walking distance and Drogheda Grammar School adjoining the property. Drogheda provides an extensive choice of shops, restaurants and everyday services, along with rail connections to Dublin and Belfast. Bus services pass the entrance, while the nearby M1 places Dublin Airport and the capital within straightforward reach.

Complete with fibre broadband, mains water and oil-fired central heating, Bayview House combines the romance of a coastal country estate with the practicalities for a modern life.

Whether envisioned as a substantial family home, an equestrian destination or a restoration project incorporating its historic buildings, it is a property with tonnes of scope and its relationship with the estuary gives it a certain magic.

Bayview House, Mill Road, Mornington, Co Meath is on the market for €1,600,000 through Savills.