Rarely does a home come on the market anywhere, let alone locally, like The Fortwilliam Estate.
Located at Glencairn Lismore, Co Waterford, this magnificent agricultural and sporting estate on almost 400 acres is considered to be one of the jewels in the Blackwater valley.
This Tudor-revival residence, at the end of a mile-long driveway surrounded by quality farmland with far-reaching views to the Knockmealdown Mountains, enjoys a long, colourful history.
The Gumbleton family first acquired these lands in the early 18th Century and Richard Gumbleton sited the first house to the west, on the site of an old castle, naming it Castlerichard after himself (now Glencairn Abbey).
After a further three generations, in the 19th Century William Gumbleton built a further house on the lands and named it Fortwilliam, once again after himself. A nephew, John Gumbleton on inheriting the property, demolished and rebuilt the house in 1836 to the design of the renowned Pain brothers of Cork, also responsible for Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle and Strancally Castle.
Fortwilliam passed from the Gumbleton family around 1932 but was repurchased by them in around 1944, selling again in 1946 to Hugh Grosvenor, second Duke of Westminster for a reputed £10,000 to include the pedigree Hereford herd.
At the time one of world's richest men, the duke added various features including the panelling to the dining room which is said to have come from his yacht and the gilded Louis XV-style boiseries in the drawing room.
In later years the estate was owned by Henry Drummond Wolfe (MP) and American socialite Mrs Murray Mitchell, who ran a donkey sanctuary there in the 1990s.
The house was also leased in the years between 1887-1925 when Adele Astaire, the sister of Fred, lived there. She married Lord Charles Cavendish, son of the ninth Duke of Devonshire and owners of neighbouring Lismore Castle Estate.
The current residents have lived on The Fortwilliam Estate for the past 11 years but are now moving on giving a new owner a chance to enjoy its charms and add to its history.
The estate is being sold in lots or as described. Lot 1 is Fortwilliam House with 117 hectares (289.12 acres) and has an asking price of €10 million. Lot 2 is the agricultural lands, comprising 41.01 hectares (101.33 acres) and has an asking price of €2,000,000. You can also purchase the entire estate, including Fortwilliam House and its 158.01 hectares (390.45 acres) for €12 million.
Discreetly situated on rising ground above the sparkling River Blackwater, running through lush inch fields, the Fortwilliam Estate commands a spectacular position overlooking the valley with panoramic far-reaching views to the Knockmealdown mountains on the Tipperary borders.
Set in landscaped grounds, the house is approached via a mile-long tree lined drive which opens out into ancient parkland with many majestic trees before sweeping along the dramatic valley edge to reach the house.
Fortwilliam House is a wonderful family home full of light and life laid out on two floors over a basement and extending to some 11,937 sq ft of floor area.
Replete with most of its original features and fabric, an extensive and sympathetic programme of renovation and refurbishment has taken place over the last 25 years.
The generous, well-proportioned accommodation includes four exceptional reception rooms, a spectacular double height grand staircase hall with six bedrooms and four bathrooms to the first floor. The lower ground floor includes an estate office, billiard room, rod room and wine cellar.
The Fisherman's Cottage, situated in the west wing, offers four further bedrooms and three bathrooms and may be incorporated into the house if required.
The charming period stable yard off the main drive includes two cottages whilst the coaching yard includes the recently converted coach house cottage, overlooking the walled garden and valley beyond. The prime lands extend to approximately 117 hectares / 289.12 acres and are currently in grassland with a small area of mature woods along the gradients between the upper and lower fields.
The farmyard is located adjacent behind the stable yard but accessed separately from the main drive. The yard comprises of a fine traditional lofted stone range, used for storage, and ideally suited for a new use, subject to the necessary consents. There is also a range of extensive modern steel portal framed buildings for livestock, machinery, and fodder storage.
The farmlands are currently all in grass with electric fencing and private water supply laid on to all fields. Much of the farm is also suitable for tillage. There is excellent access to the lands provided by internal farm tracks and an alternative drive. The upper and lower fields are separated by old broadleaf woods, set on the gradient and which have been supplemented by further planting in recent years. There are entitlement grants with the property.
The Fortwilliam Estate is on the market via joint agents Knight Frank & Michael H Daniels. You can check it out on MyHome.ie at www.myhome.ie/4800920
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