Newtown House Abbeyknockmoy, Athenry, County Galway, Ireland BER Exempt
NEWTOWN HOUSE, ABBEYKNOCKMOY, ATHENRY, COUNTY GALWAY, IRELAND A remarkably elegant Georgian House located on some 180 acres (73 Hectares) of stunning gardens and grounds looking over the River Abbert. For Sale by Private Treaty BER Exempt
Galway City Centre: 46 km 28 miles Dublin International Airport: 68 km 42 miles Knock Airport: 68 km 42 miles Tuam: 26 km 16 miles Athlone: 5 km 3 miles Dublin City Centre: 40 km 24 miles LOCATION Newtown House is located in the village of Abbeyknockmoy which is best known for the nearby ruins of the 12th century Cistercian Abbey, established with the Kings of Connacht as its benefactors. The abbey was the burial site of King Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair and contains fine examples of medieval wall paintings and sculpture. It was formerly part of the Kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht. The property is some 30Km (18 miles) from Galway city, which is often known as the City of the Tribes, and has a rich and varied history, that has been wonderfully interwoven with a modern, multicultural and vibrant spirit so successfully that it is known as Ireland s Cultural Heart, or Croi Cultrutha na heireann, and is renowned for its lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events that emanate out from Eyre Square in the centre of the city, so much so that It has been awarded City of Culture 2020. The Galway Art Festival takes place every July and has become one of the biggest arts festivals in Ireland offering an eclectic mix of parades, street performances, plays, musical concerts and comedy acts, where exponents of dance, the visual arts, the Irish language, music and theatre interact with writers and Traditional Irish musicians in an intoxicating cultural melange. Galway is the third largest city in Ireland and in addition to its thriving cultural scene has a productive and growing economic sector that has been much assisted by the M6 motorway linking it with Dublin. Newtown House is well placed for a variety of sporting tastes, being close to a wide selection of equestrian facilities, including Galway Equestrian Centre and Moycullen riding centre. The hunt in the general area is well catered for with the Galway Hunt (The Blazers). The property is also close to some excellent golf courses including Athenry and Cregmore Park golf clubs. There are numerous schools, churches and doctors nearby and its connectivity will only be improved when the new M18 Tuam to Gort motorway is opened in late 2017. Abbeyknockmoy also boasts a number of pubs, has its own local shop and petrol station. The local residents are very proud of their strong community spirit. NEWTOWN HOUSE Newtown House is a substantial Georgian property positioned in its own land with enchanting south facing views over the River Abbert which transects the front grounds and the countryside beyond. The house which is approached by a mature tree lined avenue, has been respectively restored in recent years by its current owners and now presents itself as a very comfortable and private family home. The accommodation is well arranged with well-proportioned and bright rooms. There are many fantastic Georgian features throughout the house, including large sash windows with shutters, corniced ceilings, panelled doors with architraves, reclaimed pitch pine floors (imported from the United States), marble and pine fire surrounds with decorative carvings. To the rear of the main house is a substantial courtyard, flanked by four potential separate residences to include two single storey houses and further two storey houses subject to improvements. There is also some useful workshop space, and a large hayloft. The gardens are mainly laid out to lawns with some magnificent specimen trees, including a very rare and large Thuya tree and some substantive box hedging. The rear garden boast s a well established orchard with apple and plum trees and further associated outbuildings. There are also seven stables, arena, and garage/workshop. The property is accessed through the heavy wooden front door which opens into a lobby with further glazed doors opening into the impressive tiled floor entrance hall, with doors off and a sweeping staircase to the first floor. The ground floor comprises of six reception rooms including family drawing room, study, office, games room and family room bright and spacious dining room, bar room, morning room, two guest wc s and family kitchen/dining room which boasts an oil fired Aga, pantry and access to the cellar. To the first floor of the main house there are two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and to one there is a walk-in wardrobe. Passing into the guest wing a ground floor hallway gives access to a laundry room, boot room, guest wc, a ground floor one bedroom apartment which itself comprises living/dining room, kitchen and double bedroom with en-suite shower room, via a second sweeping staircase to the first floor there are three further double bedrooms and two bathrooms. GARDENS & GROUNDS Newton House land s extend to approx. 73 hectares (approx. 180 acres) with 38 hectares (approx. 95 acres) in forestry which is well established with a variety of trees, some of which have been newly planted. There is approximately 10.1 hectares (approx. 25 acres) in bog land and the remaining approx. 25 hectares (62 acres) is in pasture and access roads. There are extensive lawns to the east of the main house, which continue to the front all boarded by ancient forestry. HISTORY It is thought that Newtown House dates back to the 1750 s, when it was built by the Browne family. The O kelly s purchased the house in 1802 from the Brownes. From a reference to a 19th century document called What my Grandmother told me by Matilda Kelly it is said that Newtown house was built on the other side of the river in 1685 ( the gate lodge still exists). The property was purchased in 1930 by Major Carr (of Carr s water biscuits) and was in his family until 1967. Lord Wrottesley purchased it in 1967 and his receptions are still the talk of the village. Owned by a German film producer and later by a Dutch psychiatrist, also a member of the European Parliament, until purchased in 1997. The period from 1997 witnessed a major high quality renovation ably supported by the Irish Georgian society. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Services- Mains electricity, telephone, oil fired central heating, mains water and Septic Tank sewerage in addition the main house is alarmed and there is a water and electrical supply to the garage and a water supply to the stables. Sale Method- Private Treaty Fixtures and Fittings- Fitted carpets and integrated items are included in the sale. BER Exempt
Selling Agents Philip Guckian Manager Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Farms & Estates 164 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland T: +353 (0)1 01 237 6308 E: philip.guckian@sherryfitz.ie www.sherryfitz.ie Michael Mannion Sherry FitzGerald Mannion High Street, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland T: +353 (0)93 26622 E: info@sherryfitzmannion.com www.sherryfitz.ie A full copy of our general brochure conditions can be viewed on our website at http://www.sherryfitz.ie/terms, or can be requested from your local Sherry FitzGerald office. We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with these general conditions. Sherry FitzGerald PSRA Registration No: 002183 & 002638