Auctioneers sometimes describe a property as "the residence of a gentleman". And they often turn out to be frightful cads. But Ardgarry's owner is a true gent of the old school.
David O'Morchoe is a clan chief and known, if you don't mind, as "the O'Morchoe". His wife, Margaret, revels in the title "Madam O'Morchoe". The Wexford native joined the British army in 1946 and served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in Suez, Gibraltar, Germany, Kenya and Cyprus, reaching the rank of major general.
Before retiring in 1979 he was seconded to the Sultan of Oman to command the Gulf statelet's army.
He then returned to Ireland and to Ardgarry which his "Aunt Dee from Worcester bought for £1,300 in 1946". Last January, in Queen Elizabeth's new year's honours list he was awarded a CBE (Commander in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) "in recognition of his dedicated work on UK-Irish relations for more than 20 years and the cause of British veterans in Ireland".
He has been president, since 1987, of the Republic of Ireland branch of the Royal British Legion, the organisation which "provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the British armed forces, and their dependants". The O'Morchoes are not leaving Tara Hill but are moving to a smaller property nearby.
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