Saturday, March 06, 2010
GOLF courses and houses built in the ground of period mansions became something of a formulaic cliche in the Celtic Tiger era, but many proved viable working models and saved old houses for future generations as well.
Case in point is Faithlegg House just a few miles from Waterford city, on the River Suir’s estuarine banks. Its proximity to the city underpinned demand for its parkland golf, its holiday homes and especially the sale of its very large plush private homes.
Faithlegg was taken in charge in the late 1990s by Irish builders and developers McInerneys: the original 1780s house is now a four-star hotel (operated by FBD/The Tower Group) and wedding venue, and they’ve also built over 60 holiday homes of all sizes and shapes elsewhere on the grounds, some with tax breaks. Then came the 20 or so separate, large, family homes scattered about the parkland course, in choice settings.
The house No 1 The Fairways, Faithlegg, has the very best site in the scheme, say auctioneers Property Partners Fogarty as they bring the 3,500 sq ft four/five bed family home par excellence to market. And, at €1.5 million, the price reflects that choice setting.
It is one of several high-end Waterford city homes to hit the market in very recent weeks, and viewings have yet to start, says Margaret Fogarty, who says that for any golfer it is going to be a paradise, close to the city, the Passage East car ferry, and to beaches and the wider coast.
Golf membership is open at Faithlegg, reduced in cost, and joining now gives a chance to visit a ‘sister’ Spanish golf course gratis.
No 1 is on a site of two-thirds of an acre, screened for privacy at the rear, and with lawns to the side, while the front looks over the 15th fairway, to the Suir and back upriver the few short miles to Waterford itself.
"It has been designed with indoor and outdoor dining in mind, thanks to its large enclosed patio area and private garden to the rear. The whole place is brilliantly appointed and lovingly
decorated to create the ultimate in luxurious country living," says Ms Fogarty of the home done on very luxurious, traditional decor lines. That’s typified by things like lots of ornate cornice work and ceiling roses, hardwood floors, classical fireplaces, wainscoting and panelled woodwork, ornamental doorcases, marble floors, country style kitchen with Stanley range, chandeliers and expensive drapes.
This two-storey Faithlegg Fairways house has four first floor bedrooms, while the master bedroom has a big bay window overlooking the 15th fairway and water, it has a dressing room, its en suite has both bath and shower, and another upstairs bedroom is also en suite.
Downstairs there’s an optional fifth bedroom, formal. entry hall with carpeted staircase with mahogany handrail, there are are double doors off to a living room, a fine drawing room with bay window, with an archway to a formal dining room, and the kitchen/family dining space has a red marble tiled floor, cream country units with granite tops and a large, square island, with double doors to the sheltered stone-flagged patio.
The house has oil-fired underfloor heating at ground level, and painted hardwood double glazed windows, with a statement, feature set of double front doors under a rectangular fanlight, painted bright red and with eight secure glazing panes, making for a cheery welcome home.
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