A fine house to be Suir

TULLAGHMEELAN HOUSE was built 200 years ago as the rectory for the Knocklofty Estate, part of the demesne of the Donoughmore estate.

Built in the Huguenot style, the rectory had a series of reverend owners until it was sold out of Church of Ireland hands in the 1940s. It was purchased by the present owners in the 1970s and has been in continual occupation since it was first built.

And, while the house had been well maintained, the present owners did a lot of upgrading, says Pat Quirke of PF Quirke and Co, who is selling the two-storey over basement house and 7.5 acres of land for offers in the region of €1.25 million.

Located in the Suir valley, the property is in one of the most scenic areas of South Tipperary. Just outside the village of Newcastle, it lies on the foothills of the Knockmealdowns, and the Vee is a short drive away. Clonmel is quite close, as are Cappoquin and Lismore.

And the house is right in the heart of Tipperary hunting country, which also makes it perfect of a family with a fondness for horses. Apart from the spacious house, there's also a stable yard and a lofted coach house, amongst other out-offices.

Demand for a house of this quality is always strong, says Pat Quirk, as there are few period properties in the area.

The reason for the scarcity might have something to do with the War of Independence when the South Tipperary brigade of the IRA torched a large number of what they called "planter houses."

Tullaghmeelan House has 3,500 square feet of space, high ceilings, sash windows, working shutters and pitch pine flooring. All the original features remain, including a fine marble fireplace in the formal drawing room.

The below stairs kitchen still has the old range cooker with bread oven, and on the first floor, the new kitchen houses a big old Aga which heats all the water in the house.