Ideal stud farm, private estate
It’s back on the market through agents Nolan and Brophy, Kildare.
It changed hands less than two years ago, when it was purchased by Paddy Twomey, son of the late Sean Twomey (the well known Bandon, Co Cork based auctioneer who was a director of the National Stud, and a successful bloodstock breeder).
The 252 acre Dromard House property has a period farmhouse, which dates from the early 1700s.
Although it is quite habitable at present, is likely to see further investment.
Buyers at this level are not going to stint on property make-overs.
The land, however, has been upgraded. New drains were installed, and stocking levels have been kept very low for the last year.
The grassland has been used for hay and silage, the land is also ideally suitable for horses, say the agents.
Although it would need investment (there is no yard or post and rail fencing), the farm is within the horse breeding and training zone of the midlands.
The property is within an hour and a half’s drive of the Curragh.
It is considered quite unusual to get this much land in one block.
Excluding parkland and forest, there are 180 usable acres.
The 50 acres of forestry, which was planted eight years ago, has the annual forestry premium attached.
Dromard House sold last time for close on €3 million.
The capital appreciation of farmland since that time would explain the new guide price in place, prior to the auction on October 27.
The property is 7km from Templemore, and a short drive from Abbeyleix and Roscrea. Dublin is 85 miles away, and Cork 87.
With good access to the N8, Dromard House is easily accessible for those looking for a discreet country pad. Situated well back from the road, the property is approached through old, wrought-iron gates and is surrounded by mature parkland. It would make an ideal stud farm or private estate, say the agents.
The house is an attractive double fronted Georgian residence with a range of Wyatt windows.
It has a drawing room with marble fireplace; a dining room with a carved, oriental fireplace; a morning room; and a modern kitchen.
The latter has an Aga and built-in units, while the hallway leading to the back stairs is stone flagged, in keeping with its age.
This leads on to the old kitchen, which functions as a utility room.
Nearby is an old pantry-wine cellar.
The first floor return has a bedroom and bathroom, with original claw footed bath, and the main bedroom floor has four rooms.
This includes a master suite with a marble fireplace, corniced ceilings and a dressing room, en suite bathroom and box room (which could double as a nursery).
There are two farmyards in Dromard.
The older one has a lofted coach house and seven stables, with double garage.
The farmyard proper has a six-bay lean-to, a three-bay hay shed and a sheep shed.
There’s also a cubicle house with capacity for 100 cattle, and a slatted shed of similar size.
