Farmlea under hammer

FARMLEIGH in Dublin’s Phoenix Park cost millions of euro to buy and conserve. Waterford’s Farmlea is a snip by comparison but, in stark contrast, the southeastern namesake Farmlea may face a wrecker’s ball.

The mid-1800s period farmhouse-style residence is on a site of just over two acres in Ferrybank, two miles from Waterford city, and is due under the auction hammer on Thursday next.

It could face a demolition hammer shortly afterwards unless it finds a sympathetic buyer.

Price guide is €650,000 to €700,000, quoted by auctioneer John Rohan, but with developers sniffing around from Cork, Waterford and elsewhere, that guide may well be surpassed on the day of auction.

Not only is there an attractive looking four-bedroom (all with en suite) two-storey residence, there is also a lesser three-bedroom detached gate lodge, recently built but without the charm of age which its bigger sibling has.

The vendors are local solicitors George and Marie Culleton, who are relocating, and they bought Farmlea back in the 1990s and commenced renovations on it.

There are lots of Spanish tiled floors, as well as polished wood floors. The kitchen is country farmhouse/diner-style, and a spiral staircase twists to an overhead office.

Ground level rooms include sitting room, lounge, play room and guest room, most with open fires. Open fires also feature in the four bedrooms.

There's a basement, with separate access, and the property includes stables and outbuildings, with a high wall giving privacy to the two acres of grounds from the public road behind.

The land is zoned for residential development, and therein lies a challenge to Farmlea's future: without the house, the land may see about 15 townhouses as replacements.

Wouldn't it be nice, though, to see someone work around it a courtyard style mews, perhaps?

Location is a couple of miles from Waterford, at Ferrybank, on a bus route to the city centre, with amenities to hand.

A lively auction is certainly anticipated.