Restored house and 242-acre estate in sylvan setting

Co Kilkenny: €5m A country estate on the banks of the River Nore has been restored with great attention to detail, writes Robert O'Byrne

Sometimes goodbye can be the hardest word to say. That's certainly going to be the case for the owners of Coolmore in Co Kilkenny.

For the past eight years, they have devoted time, energy and resources to restoring this property in the expectation that it would be a family home for many decades to come. But changing circumstances dictate a move to England and Coolmore is being offered for sale through HOK Country with a guiding price of €5 million.

Does this seem like a lot of money? Not when Coolmore's many attractions are considered. The 242-acre estate includes an abundance of mature woodland complemented by an abundance of new planting, as well as a working farm that currently hosts a pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd.

Just as attractive is a mile-long stretch of land along the banks of the River Nore, with wonderful opportunities for salmon and trout fishing, uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside and total privacy from the outside world.

That seclusion begins at Coolmore's entrance gates, some 3kms from Thomastown and guarded by a charming two-bedroom gate-lodge. A 1km-long sylvan avenue leads across several stone bridges above tumbling streams to the house at the centre of the estate. Coolmore dates from the 1820s and has been impeccably restored both inside and out.

Under unusually deep eaves, the handsome five-bay rendered front is centred on a limestone Doric portico. This leads to an entrance hall where a 19th century Gothic chimneypiece has been installed to replace one lost at some earlier date. That kind of attention to period detail is typical of the work that has gone into making Coolmore not only an appealing family home, but also a model of correct restoration.

In the drawingroom, for example, large plate glass windows running to the ground have been replaced by more historically appropriate (and attractive) panes divided by slender wooden glazing bars. The same room also contains an especially fine carved marble chimneypiece which appears to be earlier in date than the rest of the house and may have come from another property.

Coolmore is full of such intriguing puzzles, another being the very large space off the kitchen, now used as a family room but clearly meant for something grander given its elaborate ceiling decoration.

An equally splendid mahogany balustraded staircase leads upstairs to six bedrooms and three bathrooms (two en suite) benefiting from generously-proportioned windows with stunning views to the Nore and far beyond. The house also contains an eight-roomed, high-ceilinged and bright basement including a brick-lined wine cellar.

Just as much attention has been paid to transforming the surrounding grounds. Immediately outside the house is a new terrace courtyard and pergola ideal for entertaining on balmy evenings. Not far away, a 19th century yew walk leads to the walled garden, entered through a splendid pedimented gateway.

Inside, what less than 10 years ago was an overgrown wilderness, is now divided into lawns, deep flower borders, an orchard and vegetable garden. Against the south-facing brick wall, a new greenhouse has been erected on the site of its long-vanished predecessor. On the other side of that wall is the stone stable yard with 18 looseboxes and a fine three-bay coach-house. All are in excellent condition.

Given all that they have done to bring their home to this state, it's no wonder the vendors are leaving with regret. But their despondency will be balanced by the pleasure Coolmore's new owners can expect to find in saying hello.