Mansion on Lough Derg makes over €4m

CountrySales: An Italianate mansion on 120 acres sold by an American businessman who never lived in it is likely to be converted to a hotel. Property Editor Orna Mulcahy reports

An Italianate mansion on the shores of Lough Derg that was bought, but never lived in, by a reclusive American has been sold for over €4 million through Jackson-Stops.

Slevoir, near Terryglass, Co Tipperary, and its 120 acres was purchased, sight unseen, by a Chicago businessman six years ago for around €3.9 million.

He never lived in it and later decided to sell having found a more beautiful house in another part of the country.

Slevoir, with its six reception rooms and 11 bedrooms, has planning permission for a hotel and its new owners, two businessmen, are likely to convert it.

Slevoir was built in 1870 by Lt-Col J F Hickie and remained in the ownership of his family until 1950 when it was acquired by the Salesian Sisters.

In 1982 it was bought by a German company and became a private residence.

The house has superb grounds and parkland which runs through ancient timber to the lake.

There is also a large stable yard with cut-stone outbuildings, a walled garden and a boathouse.

Slevoir went on the market quietly last October and quickly attracted interest from a number of parties leading to a private tender. The deal was concluded earlier this week.

Jackson-Stops has also sold Clifden House in Corofin, Co Clare, for a figure believed to be well over €3 million.

The Georgian house on 12 acres was chased by three English bidders, having gone on the market last summer with a guide of €1.75 million.

A remote house in a magical wooded setting just 30 yards from Lake Inchiquinn, Clifden was the birthplace of the pre-Raphaelite painter Frederick William Burton, whose family built the house. It was sold by Jim and Bernadette Robson, who had run it as a private guesthouse.