Georgian on my mind

WHEN you’re a builder in Ireland in the middle of a boom you can afford to be lavish with your own house.

In Carrick-on-Suir, developer Kieran Burke used his skills to create a modern, Georgian residence on six acres outside the Tipperary town.

Designed by local architect James Flynn, the house at Tinvane covers 5,000 sq ft. Set on six acres of lawns, paddocks and mature gardens, the rangy property is just five years old and has some very fine and luxurious features.

Now it’s someone else’s turn to benefit from the superb aspect and layout as the property is on the market with John Shelley and Sandra Purcell of local firm, Shelley and Purcell.

Priced at €1.25 million, there won’t be queues of viewers for this quintessential, one-off property, but the size and the quality of house should attract a smaller cohort of buyers who want a rural, but accessible family home.

Looking at the house straight on, it’s quite impressive, but it’s equally so from the rear where the two hexagonal bays at either end of the house are repeated. And, despite its large size, it’s not too imposing, with a modest entrance portico flanked by what look like granite pillars, but are really greyed concrete.

The house is classically symmetrical and is approached by a long curving driveway with full height, lantern lighting. There’s a large turning point to the front with fountain and the driveway runs right around the back of the house, allowing ease of access for deliveries.

While the property has five, decent bedrooms, most of the room is given over to the various living rooms. The breakfast room/conservatory is very attractive and, seen from the back, is a major feature of the house.

The entrance hall, however, is one of architect Jimmy Flynn’s favourite parts of this large commission. Here the wide space has a galleried staircase in teak which is lit by two large feature windows on two landings.

Because the house is single-depth in the middle, light runs from back to front and the aspect and level site ensures the sun turns around the house all day, starting with the east-facing breakfast room.

Interior-wise, the Tinvane residence is decorated in Victorian style with dark colours used in the hallway and living room. Mellow teak double doors, high ceilings, Tipperary crystal chandeliers and coving give grandeur to the main reception rooms.

The kitchen/diner and breakfast room are decorated in country style, with colour-washed units and furniture. Other rooms include a family room, formal dining room, large drawing room with white marble fireplace, an office and dedicated billiard room with full table.

Two of the five bedrooms are en suite and the master comes with its own dressing room, while the remaining double rooms have walk-in closets.

Five years on from the build, the grounds are mature and well tended and Virginia creeper has made its way up the painted facade. And, while the roof has traditional lead flashing, for ease of maintenance, the windows are in PVC. The house is very secluded, says Mr Shelley, and has mature trees on the boundary and lovely views.