Period-style home on a lake of its own

Co Waterford/€2.4m: A five-bed on 10 acres built five years ago is a replica of the period house which originally stood there. Kate McMorrow reports

Looking at Loughmore House, you would never know it was built in 1995, not centuries ago. Overlooking its own lake, this substantial five-bedroom house at Woodstown, Co Waterford, replicates a period house which originally stood on the site.

With everything done, is this the best of both worlds? Joint agents Ganly Walters and John Rohan Auctioneers are quoting €2.4 million by private treaty for the 370 sq m (4,000 sq ft) house, which stands on 10 acres of land with an additional eight acres of Bell Lake belonging to the property.

Nine years ago when owners Mary and James Kennedy bought Loughmore, it had lain empty for some time and the house was beyond restoration. The garden was "a jungle".

The couple decided to incorporate as many materials as possible from the original house into the new one. Stone walls were recycled, flags on the terrace cleared of weeds and one remaining period fireplace was restored. They found someone to repair the original entrance gate, which turned up in dense undergrowth. Granite sills were also re-used.

Additional period fireplaces were bought and installed. Thick supporting beams from the old pier at Waterford Harbour ended up as wideplank floorboards. It has taken years of work to put some order on the grounds and 2,000 native deciduous trees have been added to the existing arbour.

Woodstown is five miles from Dunmore East and five from Waterford City. The beach is about five minutes' drive from the house. A broad flight of old granite steps leads to a Georgian-style front door which is framed by flowering climbers. Both inner and outer halls are floored in pitch pine, with decorative ceilings and antique light fittings.

A bay window in the drawingroom has a seat from which to admire the front garden and view of the lake. There is a fine marble fireplace, an antique chandelier and a door to the diningroom.

This has another period fireplace, corniced ceiling and antique chandelier. There are three sash windows and a secret china cupboard. A pitch pine floor is laid in the study, which has another bay window with window seat. Doors open from here to a timber conservatory with views over the lake.

The kitchen and breakfastroom are linked by an arch. Both have polished pine floors and sash windows. There is an antique dresser, a pine island unit and top-name appliances. Off the back hall is a utility and shower room.

There are five bedrooms on the first floor, two with en suites, and a walk-in wardrobe in the main room. A porthole window in another bedroom is an unusual feature. Power showers are installed in all the bathrooms, including the family bathroom, which is panelled in antique mahogany.

A vast carpeted attic room is accessed via steps. Outside, the original coach-house is now a tack room and workshop and there is a new barn incorporating five loose boxes.

The 10 acres includes natural woodland, paddocks and a terrace. You can swim off a wooden jetty in Bell Lake, eight acres of which belong to the house.