Horsey haven amid fields of gold in Kilkenny for €1.1m

A large house built in traditional country style nearly 40 years ago on 42 acres near Callan, Co Kilkenny, would suit a family with equine interests. Although the owners don’t have horses, there are six stables beside the house and space that could be converted to a sand arena. There’s also a self-contained one-bed unit at the side of the house.

Mallardstown House, Callan, Co Kilkenny, is a 336sq m (3,616sq ft) four-bed, and it’s for sale through Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes and Sherry FitzGerald McCreery for €1.1 million.

The current owners have lived here for 10 years and describe it as an oasis. Although it’s only 2km from the town of Callan and across the road from Callan Golf Club, it sits alone amid fields of gold – the 42 acres are rented out and planted mainly with corn.

A long drive to the house crosses a bridge over the King’s river on the edge of the property. The owners revamped Mallardstown House in the past few years, and the front door opens into a hall with dark polished timber floors. The drawingroom, which runs from the front to the rear of the house on the left of the hall, is owner Martin McGuire’s “favourite room”. It has a bay window with window seats overlooking the countryside at the back of the house, and an archway opening into a study.

Other rooms downstairs include a long dining room with a bay window at the rear, a family room off it and a bright modern kitchen/breakfastroom. A red range cooker is fitted into the chimneybreast, there’s a timber-topped island unit and – like the family room – a white-tiled floor. Double doors open from the kitchen on to an enclosed patio area.

Entertaining

It’s a good house for entertaining, says McGuire, with lots of space and no concerns about disturbing neighbours with noise.

Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms on the first floor along with a smart fully-tiled family bathroom: the main bedroom is en suite. There is a fourth double bedroom on the top floor with another room used as a walk-in wardrobe.

The self-contained unit at the side of the house has a separate entrance, livingroom, bedroom, kitchenette, shower room – and a playroom opening on to the patio at the back that faces the kitchen.

Outside, a lawned area surrounds the house.