A six-bedroom Georgian house on 52 acres in west Waterford – one of Ireland’s most scenic regions – is going to auction with a guide price of €775,000. What’s the catch?
None, apparently, other than the dizzying disparity between town and country property prices in the current market.
Clonkerdin House, which comprises 5,000 sq ft (464 sq m), will go to auction in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Co Waterford on July 25th.
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Its very engaging and remarkably youthful octogenarian owner, Derry Twomey says: “We had a smashing time here, and great parties”. But now he is ready to move on. His wife died seven years ago, his children have long gone, and now, aged 84, he’s looking forward to a new phase of life – and a new house – in a nearby seaside resort.
Separate driveway
In his day, Twomey was one of the best-known dairy farmers in Munster and a leading figure in the Co-Op movement. In recent decades, he has gradually downsized the farm and sold some of the land but Clonkerdin House still retains 52.6 acres – laid out in five fields surrounding the house. The farmyard, currently unused, can be accessed by a separate driveway to the main road.
Clonkerdin House is, essentially, a grand 19th century farmhouse. The exterior is an oddly-pleasing mix of Regency, Georgian and Victorian architectural styles but some of the original windows have been replaced by PVC.
Inside there’s plenty of space including an extra-large hallway, two good-size reception rooms, six bedrooms, of which two are en suite, and separate staff quarters. The house is in good shape but old-fashioned in a very appealing way. It will need a 21st century makeover – including a new kitchen, bathrooms and general refurbishment – and the cost of this work seems to be reflected in the auction guide price.
Well-maintained gardens in front of the house are planted with mature trees and shrubs and an otherwise smooth lawn features an eye-catching patch of wildflower meadow.
Unspoilt countryside
Clonkerdin House has its own private well and so will escape the predations of Irish Water. The property would make a very attractive home, or country retreat, for a family looking for a large house and enough land to keep horses and maybe for a spot of “gentleman farming”.
Its location, 10 km from the busy resort town of Dungarvan, is halfway between Cork (80km) and Waterford (45km) so commuting to either city is feasible. The surrounding unspoilt countryside – long one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets – offers access to the Blackwater Valley, Comeragh Mountains and the Copper Coast.
Access to and from Dublin (200km) has improved greatly with the opening of the M9 motorway.
