An overseas buyer is believed to have agreed to pay around £2.5 million for Springfield House in Kilbride, Co Wicklow, one of the finest country houses to come on the market this year. Owned by the Mullion family, the eight-bedroom Georgian house has a 160-acre stud farm.
The 200-year-old property, located about five miles from Wicklow town, close to Brittas Bay, had been expected to sell by tender through Hamilton Osborne King last September. However, while it was viewed by a number of high-profile business people, the ensuing bids failed to meet the vendors' expectations.
It was put on the market again in early November with a price tag of £2.5 million, and attracted a fresh round of bids from both Irish and foreign buyers.
The two-storey over basement house has been lavishly restored in recent years, and has a large guest suite, as well as a swimming-pool, leisure complex and a tennis court. In all, there are four reception rooms, including a superb drawingroom, a diningroom and a large games room. There is also a very large conservatory that opens on to the gardens. The big, country-style kitchen has solid timber units topped in granite. The small basement is furnished as a cellar. Upstairs, there is a magnificent main bedroom suite, and four more bedrooms. There are three bedrooms on the ground floor.
The house is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and a number of outbuildings, including a stable yard with 32 loose boxes, a steward's house and ample garage space.