House of opportunity

THE rolling Golden Vale has a number of big houses, but none so unique, in its way, as Baggotstown House in Bruff.

This very attractive, but neglected, gentleman's residence is a bargain if your tastes run to a private, wooded demesne in the most pastoral part of the country taking into account the necessary budget to restore this grade A listed, Georgian property.

Baggotstown House, built by the Boucher family and held by them until 1938, is a little gem with some very attractive features. It's only been in the hands of two families since it was built and has been well-loved and maintained over the years.

Originally, the estate would have had about 1,000 acres, says auctioneer, Micheal Liston, who, along with Ger Mitchell, is selling this six-bedroomed mansion for the guide price of €800,000. Now with a dwindled demesne, but enough land in 56 acres for a decent, horsey lifestyle, this is a gem waiting to be polished.

Again the old story prevails: Baggotstown has gone from having a regiment of servants to one person living in one room, leaving the rest of this venerable old building to the creeping damp of the Irish winter.

But, the property is not beyond hope, it's just a little forlorn and hasn't gone so far as to have sycamores rooting in its halls. It will need some attention to the roof and considerable internal restoration, but the bones of a manageable property are all there, including a very attractive cut stone courtyard and 200-year-old trees.

A sweeping driveway and most of its acreage in parkland around the house, would allow new owners privacy and prestige in a location within commuting distance of Limerick and Tipperary the heart of horse country.

Baggotstown has been the property of a well-known East Limerick family since 1938 when it was purchased by Newcastlewest solicitor, Tom Mitchell. In a curious coincidence, both auctioneers are descendants of the family and are now charged with disposing of Baggotstown as part of an executor sale.

The Mitchell family used Baggotstown in much the same way as the Bouchers before them and also had other farms in the locality: grand entertainments often took place, says Micheal Liston, whose aunt and uncle lived at Baggotstown.

Taking into account current land values, the guide price of €800,000 is good value and with the right purchaser, Baggotstown could be fully restored.

The accommodation includes an lovely bright entrance hall with pillars and an enclosed staircase. The dining room and sitting room are to either side and both come with bay windows and the breakfast room, kitchen and ancillary rooms are to the rear with one exception: a wine cellar is off the main hallway.

The upper level has a landing split by the staircase with steps on either side leading to six bedrooms and a bathroom. A wide stairway leads to the floored attic which comes with four bedrooms.

The former staff accommodation includes sitting room, kitchen, washroom, toilet and three bedrooms.

Baggotstown House has a cut stone entrance with gate lodge, and a separate entrance to the courtyard which has two-storey lime stone buildings, cobbled yards and a walled garden.

Viewing is by appointment with ERA Liston Auctioneers and joint agents are E J Mitchell & Sons.