Co Kilkenny: €850,000Weekenders love Thomastown, in fashionable 'K6': Michael Parsons looks at a renovation project in the village
Wags ("amusing or mischievous persons" - and not K Club birdies) in Kilkenny have been referring to Thomastown as K6. There's no doubt that the village, about 10 miles south of Kilkenny city, and upriver from lah-di-dah Inistoige (K4) is inordinately popular with a fashionable Dublin set.
The proximity of Mount Juliet with its "old gentry" country house hotel and immaculate, Tiger-played-it designer golf course; a comfortable drive from Dublin (77 miles); "craft-trail" shopping; picturesque castles and churches; riverbanks from the pages of Walton's Compleat Angler; and a railway station on the well-served Dublin-Waterford line: they've all contributed to create quite the petite Ranelagh-sur-Nore.
Ladies who lunch will like a stylish new eatery called Ethos, there's a smart Chinese opening soon, dinner at Hudson's and very swish dining at the Conrad-run hotel.
But Thomastown, mercifully, is no twee, chocolate-box village. Although there are two antique shops on Market Street (terribly reassuring for metropolitan-types) this is a real working town with a robust agricultural hinterland.
Yummy mummies in Donnybrook tractors just popping in for organic chicken, a facial or stuffed olives jostle for parking spaces with hardy men on Zetors just hoppin' in for some baling twine, udder cream or calf nuts.
And those fierce-looking lads roaming the streets with wooden clubs? Why darling, they're hurlers. You can make their acquaintance at one of the many heaving hostelries - the town has more bars than Milwaukee.
This is a place to roll up those Zegna 'Soft' shirtsleeves, wear that Hermès scarf, don green wellies, pick blackberries (rather than answer them), finally get real muck spattered on your shiny-as-brass "jeep" and rediscover your roots.
Many Dubliners have bought weekend retreats in, and around, Thomastown and some, incredibly, even endure a daily commute.
But here's a wonderful opportunity for someone seriously interested in relocating.
A very rare chance to acquire a large (279q m/3,000sq ft) house in the centre of the village has arisen with the forthcoming sale of Abbey View, on 1.2 acres just off Ladywell Street. It will be sold by auction at the Club House Hotel in Kilkenny at 3pm on Wednesday October 25th by Boyd's Real Estate Alliance.
Despite its central location, the early-Georgian farmhouse, on an elevated site, has an utterly tranquil feel and presents a challenging but immensely exciting renovation opportunity.
The AMV of €850,000 reflects the need for an extensive makeover - but this is no wreck and appears to be very competitively priced.
There may also be tax breaks available. According to the agents, "the property qualifies under Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, which means that because of its historic significance any expenditure on its restoration or upkeep can be offset against income and corporation tax subject to the necessary conditions".
The six-bedroom, two-storey over basement, light-filled, south-facing house is fronted by a most unusual circular lawn flanked by mature trees.
There is a large, walled paddock with adjoining stabling on about three-quarters of an acre, which could accommodate the Tweenies' ponies or, more attractively, provide a delightful jardin potager and orchard.
A spacious back yard contains ample outbuildings including a large pumphouse (complete with original hand-operated water pump) and offering intriguing restoration potential, as it has its own front entrance framed by pear trees and a vine.
If you saw it in Umbria, featured on House Hunters In The Sun, you'd start daydreaming straight away.
It's the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness out there. Stop dreaming and go check out this alternative reality. Viewing is strongly recommended.
