Sale of the 19th century

Tommy Barker reports on a property sure to attract interest due to its old-fashioned price tag,

Famous for its 19th century catch-cry “arise Knocknagoshel, and take your place among the Nations of the World”, the old mill might now take its place amongst the tourism attractions of North Kerry.

A few hundred yards from the main Limerick-Dublin road to Kerry’s main towns is a restored cottage, with the remains of an historic three-storey water mill and a two-storey dairy house, all on an acre of land with waterside access to the Owveg river.

Price guide with Eddie Barrett of JH North & Co, Tralee, is offers over 125,000 and, no, there isn’t a ‘0’ missing off that.

However, given the frenzy of calls since it went on the web and into a solitary newspaper ad, even romantics lured to this property bargain must begin to realise that the initial price guide is going to be far exceeded when bidding gets into gear. Nonetheless, for dreamers who want a property challenge, it might prove to be an affordable dream.

Built in the 19th century as a flour mill, the Knocknagoshel mill switched to woollen milling following the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, and was known as the Mount Castle Woollen Mill, with thread, flannel, tweed and blanket sales conducted from the long low adjoining property, now a residence.

Markets for milled products clearly rose and fell as fast as the Owveg river which fed the mill, as woollen milling declined from the ’30s due to cheap imports, while wartime demand for flour brought its production back again: a full turn of the mill wheel, as it were.

Finally closed down in 1964, the property began its physical decay, though when it last changed hands the current owners reversed the trend and did a major overhaul job on the four-bedroom cottage.

The stonework of the old two storey dairy house is very sound, looking ready to take a roof once more.

The original, older and larger mill building needs more serious and costly renovation works.

The large old iron mill wheel is still in place, a mute plea to a new owner to get it turning once more.

According to Eddie Barrett of Norths, while the Mill may just be bought as a unique residence, there has to be some commercial future in it given its location and character.

Those of a commercial bent will check out the availability of tourism and heritage property grants, he suggests.

The current dwelling needs just some final tidying work, and has a kitchen with Stanley range, living room, master bedrom with en suite with jacuzzi, and three further bedrooms, two of which share en suite access.

Location is 2 kms from Knocknagoshel, 8kms from Abbeyfeale, 18kms from Castleisland and 26kms from Tralee.