Dunkellin House, though just 17 years old, has the layout, dimensions, high ceilings, crafted plasterwork and style of a house built a century earlier. Lord and Lady Hemphill, who knew a thing or two about country houses, built it in l998 when they downsized from the nearby, and much larger, Raford House, itself built in the 1750s.
Before that they’d lived for some 30 years in Tulira Castle, Ardrahan, one of the country’s most significant castles with roots in a medieval tower house and with Gothic Revival additions.
Lord Hemphill, who died in 2012, was instrumental in transforming Irish horse racing from a sport to an industry. Lady Hemphill, who died earlier this year, was a Galway Blazers field master and bred Connemara ponies.
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Sherry FitzGerald is looking after the sale of what was the couple’s last home; their children live in the UK. The single-storey house, with 291.2sq m (3134sq ft) floor area, has four en suite bedrooms, two formal reception rooms, open plan kitchen/ breakfastroom/ sunroom and office with separate rear entrance.
The asking price, to include five acres of paddock, stable yard and gardens and separate 43.4 acres (17.6 hec) of woodland, is €495,000.
Dunkellin House, perched on an elevated site, makes the most of wide, countryside views. Dunkellin river, with its landmark stone bridge, meanders to the front, woodlands take up the rear and there are thriving gardens all around. The entrance hall, drawing and diningrooms all have ornate coving and the drawing room has a marble fireplace. The large, wide hall has a tiled floor, walk-in cloakroom and guest bathroom.
There is a country-style kitchen with Aga and a sunroom jutting picturesquely into the gardens.
The bay window in the main bedroom gives great views; the other three bedrooms are to the rear with woodland views.
