Co Offaly: €850,000-plus A romantic Gothic-style house set in tranquil countryside near the village of Belmont in Co Offaly will appeal to househunters seeking a stylish and very private country retreat.
Strawberry Hill is the home of Eamon Caniffe and his Texas-born wife, Michelle, who have refurbished it in truly magnificent style over the past decade. The couple run an antiques business from the house and will be keeping their business in the area, once Strawberry Hill is sold.
It's an extensive property with over 50 acres of farmland and a separate stableyard with a walled garden and a couple of cottages needing refurbishment.
Strawberry Hill will be auctioned on May 25th by Coonan, where Susan Kirk is handling enquiries. The plan is to offer it in lots, with the rambling four-bedroom house on two acres expected to fetch over €850,000; the 50 acres of land guided at €500,000 and the cottage yard, which has its own handsome entrance across the road from the gates to the house, expected to make over €300,000.
Located eight miles from Birr, Strawberry Hill is set at the end of a long winding tree-lined avenue. Broad steps lead up to the entrance to the two-storey house which has three fine reception rooms and a library leading off a fine high ceilinged hallway.
The house has been meticulously refurbished with many of its fittings imported from France and Italy. The basement comprises a series of interlinking rooms with vaulted ceilings.
A secret passageway leading out from the basement into the fields surrounding the house was used during the Troubles, and date back to the time when Strawberry Hill was a monastery.
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