Abbey pedigree a blessing

A DISTINGUISHED architectural pedigree benefits Coole Abbey, a genuine Georgian home in Munster’s Bride Valley.

The Bride is one of the tributaries of the noted Blackwater River. This is where singer Michael Jackson is reputed to be looking at property purchases, perhaps inspired in his location searches by the other fleet-of-foot chap, dancer Michael Flatley who has poured some of his millions into Castlehyde.

Coole Abbey’s design is attributed to architect Davis Duckart, who also is responsible for such residential finery as Dunkathel, Kilshannig, Lota and Tivoli houses, all in Cork, as well as Castlemary, Kilkenny’s Castletown, Woodruff and Lisan, amongst others.

Coole Abbey, built in 1765 for Henry Peard, is a symmetrical facaded three-storey house (two over basement) of 8,000 sq ft in very good order, restored and kept by its Dutch owners of the past quarter of a century.

It is on 17 acres of land, and so will suit those looking for a fine country lifestyle with space for horses. It already has coach houses, six loose boxes, a stud railed drive and railed paddocks as well as a walled garden and guest apartment. Selling agent is Michael H Daniels, who guides Coole at €2.25 million and who reports a robust season for Munster country homes with strong local and overseas inquiries.

Internally, the house has its finery intact, and in current usage the main entrance hall way with tall stone fireplace is used as a reception room, with sofas and armchairs in welcome waiting, while the original 18th century staircase is screened by curtains, a bit like a stage waiting for the actors to appear on. It also has a double aspect drawing room, a library with shelving and doubling as a dining room, third reception or study, and a kitchen with Siematic units and a four-oven Aga, the 4X4 of the country cooking set.

Downstairs in the basement there’s a home gym with Jacuzzi and shower, a billiard room, bar and wine cellar as well as laundry room.

The first floor has a galleried landing, a very large master bedroom with dressing room via an arch, and an en suite bathroom which, previously, was another bedroom. It has built-in wardrobes, twin sinks, bidet, bath and separate shower cubicle, and space left over. Two of the other three bedrooms have their own bathrooms with Mira showers, and wrapping it all up on the plumbing front there’s a stand-alone shower room (come on, come on, you know what we mean.)

Out to the back of Coole, there’s a decked section with low stone wall with bedding plants, and beyond is a cut-stone courtyard with stone arches and slate roofed buildings. The enclosed yard include a one-bed straff/guest cottage.

Coole Abbey is 40 km from Cork city and airport, with a vastly improved road link, and further by-pass openings at Mitchelstown and Fermoy make access to points north a whole lot easier too....if you can bring yourself to leave.