When it comes to angling, the village of Clonbur could be considered smack bang in the centre of game fishing in Ireland. On one side is the largest lake in the Republic, Lough Corrib, which links via an underground channel to the limestone lake of Lough Mask, with its 22,000 acres of pristine waters.
The well-known fishing lodges of Delphi and Aasleigh are within a 40-minute drive and the River Moy is about an hour away, as is the weir in Galway where the River Corrib meets the sea; it's one of the most productive salmon beats in Europe.
Nestled on the banks of Lough Corrib – one of the best game fisheries in the world – is Golden Bay Lodge, which takes its name from the part of the lake it overlooks. Golden Bay itself is described as having "excellent" salmon fishing on the popular irelandflyfishing.com website and is also noted for its brown trout. Bream, roach, pike, stickleback, perch and eels also inhabit the 68 square mile lake.
The property, with 466 sq m (5,019 sq ft), was purchased by its current owner, who has family ties to the area, in 2012 for €544,099. They then proceeded to add a self-contained annexe/guest suite to the rear of the property. Overall, the house has a very clever design and was constructed to embrace its setting.
Four bedrooms in the main property (there is another in the guest suite) sit in two wings, which are angled to catch the light and views. These rooms meet at the central living and dining areas. Two of the five bedrooms – all of which are doubles – open out to the gardens which lie on more than six acres. Interiors are in turnkey condition with white palettes reflecting the light against the warmth of hardwood flooring.
While the property, which has a BER of C2, is about a five-minute walk to the water’s edge, it is also equidistant from the villages of Clonbur and Cong, which are about a five-minute drive.
For families, Petersburg Adventure Centre in Clonbur offers a range of activities including caving, whereby the routes of limestone river systems are followed underground, and it is truly one of the best kept secrets of all activities in the west of Ireland.
Hiking is nearby in the Partry Mountains and for a treat after long days on the lake, the new leisure centre at the five-star Ashford Castle – which looks out to Lough Corrib – is something to behold with its seashell chandeliers, relaxation pool and hammam.
For dining, Clonbur, Cong and nearby Leenane all have good options in addition to fine dining at the George V at Ashford Castle.
Golden Bay Lodge will certainly appeal to those who are looking for a hideaway for fishing, but given its size and separate guest suite/annexe, it would also work as a fine family home. Due to the popularity of angling in the vicinity, it would also have good rental income, with an estimated €1,300-€1,500 per week depending on the season.
It has now been launched on the market through joint agents Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes and Helen Cassidy seeking €825,000.
