Country house fetches a record €12m

A RECORD price has been set for an Irish country house.

The only house to make more money was Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park, bought by the State from the Guinness family.

The fully restored period home near Youghal has just three main bedrooms, but the master bedroom is in effect a collection of his and hers suites, including separate dressing rooms, bathrooms, boudoir, steam room, morning room and study, all of which can be sealed off from the main house at the touch of a panic button in case of attack or kidnap attempts.

Ballynatray has lots of guest accommodation in annexes and courtyard buildings, including a quaint ‘Love Nest’ for couples, and extensive stabling.

The main house, which cost millions to restore and upgrade, comes complete with basement swimming pool, games room, terraces and is brimming with security features.

The entire estate was upgraded over five years by owners, Serge and Henriette Boissevain, who bought it in 1995 for around £1.5 million.

The deal, now legally concluded, was confirmed by Robert Ganly of Montgomery Ganly Walters last night. He said the purchaser was “a quiet, private buyer from the UK”.

Following reports of interest from celebrities such as Robbie Williams, Madonna and Andrew Lloyd Webber, he asserted “not a single celebrity viewed the property”.

Ballynatray, originally an estate with over 1,000 acres, went up for sale a year ago, just as the Iraq war broke out. Wealthy Irish and overseas buyers viewed the property, some dropping in by helicopter.

The property has over a mile of water frontage as well as a thatched boathouse with a powerful motor launch capable of reaching Britain or the Continent.