Warren Estates in Gorey is guiding £280,000 (355,530) for The Old School House, "Kiltennel", Ballymoney, Co Wexford - a converted schoolhouse with a teacher's residence attached - which is set to be auctioned on July 3.
Built in 1824 on 0.7 of an acre, with good road frontage, the building was in use as a primary school until the 1970s. The two-storey structure consisted of several large classrooms in the school section and a number of small rooms in the teacher's dwelling, which had its own entrance.
The property had been lying empty when bought by the present owners, an architect and an interior designer who have completed a revamp of considerable verve and confidence. The two sections of the house have been brought together and extended into 2,000 sq ft of accommodation, surrounded by a stone courtyard and landscaped gardens with ample parking.
The house is situated close to the resorts of Courtown and Ballymoney and six miles from Gorey. The local golf club is nearby and while the property is likely to attract interest as an upmarket holiday home, it is a home residence you could live in with pleasure and comfort all year round.
A hint of the good things in store is given on approaching the rendered exterior - painted a pale pink, but with the original stone exposed at various points.
An entrance porch with quarry tiled floor allows you to look through to a wonderful open plan 25ft living area where a pale colour scheme, timber floor and vaulted ceiling give a feeling of space and ease.
The dining section is furnished in one corner with a long refectory-style table. Steps lead up to the living section which has sofas grouped round a central stove.
Doors lead to newly-built sun-room which catches the afternoon and evening sun. The fact that this room looks as if it has always been part of the house illustrates the care and sympathy shown to the original character throughout.
The kitchen, visible through an internal window from the dining area, has fully fitted plain units in maple, an oil-fired Stanley cooker which also heats the radiators and a striking floor of local period quarry tiles in shades of red through to grey. A good-sized utility room nearby has a side door to a courtyard.
There are two bedrooms and a smart modern bathroom on the ground floor.
Upstairs, an open balcony encircles the living area below, opening into a secluded lobby.
Following the corridor back to the other end of the house, there is a large master bedroom lit by three windows. It has a walk-in wardrobe passage leading to an en suite shower room which is completely tiled in mosaic in shades of blue, rust and turquoise. A fourth bedroom is decorated in pale violet and a third bathroom is situated nearby.
Outside, the vehicular entrance is off the main road. A gravelled drive curves round to a parking bay at the side of the house. The rear is partly set in landscaped gardens, and looks down on an as yet uncultivated area, bounded by old trees and hedging.
A enclosed south-facing gravelled courtyard has a number of old stone buildings, with separate garage and fuel store. There is also a pedestrian entrance from the main road.
