Kells in Co Kilkenny is one of the little-known beauty spots of Ireland. With the magnificently imposing 12th-century Priory as its centre-piece, the village is rich in architectural heritage. Located 10 miles from Kilkenny city, everything in Kells is intertwined with the King's River which flows by it. The water from this tributary of the River Nore powered the many mills along its banks, including Mullin's Mill which has been painstakingly restored by the local people. Just a stone's throw from the King's River and Mullin's is Mill Cottage, an unusual home in an idyllic setting. Half-thatch and half-slated, it offers more than 2,000 sq ft. Selling agent is Ganly Walters Boyd and this attractive property has a guide price of £135,000 (€171,415).
The property manages to combine a sense of spacious openness with an intimate environment. It is warm and inviting but there is plenty of room to enjoy the comfort.
The livingroom situated under the thatched roof has a large open fire with a timber beam overhead and a French-style cast-iron stove. It is a relaxing space measuring 17 ft by 13 ft. A hallway leads to the cosy diningroom and further along is the main bedroom, a smaller guest room and toilet with bath and hot-press. A door from the thatched area to the slated side reveals a roomy kitchen with a solid fuel cooker. The room is very pleasant and looks out on to the back garden.
This in turn leads to a large and unconverted two-storey section of the building which has been re-roofed, damp proofed and re-glazed. It is ready to be converted into further accommodation. The cottage has lovely tiered gardens at the back with a large selection of apple trees, flowering shrubs and mature trees. The gardens slope southwards making them a sun trap and ideal for barbecues. There is a rear coach entrance providing concealed parking for a number of cars. "This is an opportunity to buy a property in one of the best locations in Kilkenny, within a great community which has a self-help attitude," says Michael Boyd of Ganly Walters Boyd.
The nearby Mullin's Mill is once again in working order thanks to a local development group. In the summer it is used as a working museum and cafe where numerous exhibitions are mounted. The weir serving the mill has also been restored and the view of the bridge from the mill and weir could have been taken from a picture postcard. You can amble along the mill race and walk over a wooden bridge which brings you to Kells Priory. It is the largest complete ecclesiastical ruins in Ireland and of great archaeological and historical significance. It is used for many events, including art exhibitions during Kilkenny Arts Festival.
