Co Westmeath: €8mA country house on a 445-acre farm could be a stud farm, or a country base for a Dublin family. Fiona Tyrrellreports
A substantial period country home unspoiled by time in Co Westmeath is set on lands with river and lake frontage.
Ardglass, Rathowen, Co Westmeath - 12 miles from Mullingar - was built in the 1750s and was later extended around 1850. The house has remained largely unchanged since then.
Ardglass has been in the same family for three generations and is currently run as a large working farm. Selling agent TE Potterton has set an AMV of €8 million on the estate prior to auction on May 31st.
It comes to the market with 445 acres which is laid out in farmland and forests.
Because the owners are getting out of farming, the property comes with significant milk quota and forestry premiums. Some of the land is bordered by the Black River; another parcel of land fronts onto Lough Iron, renowned for its pike fishing.
The modern farm is set well back from the six-bedroom home, which is approached via a long avenue through parkland with many fine old beech, chestnut and oak trees.
A fine entrance hall with decorative arches leads to the large drawingroom with magnificent bay windows overlooking the gardens. The diningroom has an attractive marble open fireplace.
A traditional country kitchen has the original black and red tiled floor, wooden units, Belfast sink and an old Aga. A study, a morning room and a bathroom with cast-iron bath and window overlooking the garden, are also found at ground floor level.
Upstairs there are six bedrooms, all with either marble or cast-iron fireplaces. There is also a dressingroom, utility room, laundry room and main family bathroom, which has been modernised. Grounds around the house include lawns with ornamental trees and a large walled garden as well as an old coach-house and courtyard.
Ardglass could appeal to someone looking to acquire a large farm in one block or else someone in the market for a stud farm. Equally the house itself, on 77 acres, could appeal to a Dublin-based business person looking for a trophy country home.
Ardglass is just off the N4 and two miles from the village of Rathowen. Mullingar is 12 miles away; the M50 is a 45-minute drive.
