Something old and new

GRACIOUS living in one of the most historic areas of Co Clare is what this mini-mansion at Carnelly Woods has to offer.

Forget rising damp and rattling windows, mould and must — this detached property is a walk-in job for buyers in the one and half million euro category.

Close to Shannon, and within a whistle of uber-exclusive Dromoland Castle, this large and impressive five-bed is ideal for Shannon-based executives, or indeed Limerick entrepreneurs.

The property adjoins Carnelly House, which was sold in 2005 for €3 million by the Gleeson family, a well-known legal line from Tipperary.

The Palladian mansion has a Queen Anne core, but was remodelled and rebuilt in the early Georgian period. Now the house and grounds are to be converted to the country’s first full-scale retirement village.

Dublin-based, Master Group, were due to open the facility this year, but work continues on the €80 million project to date.

Three hundred residents will eventually occupy this ancient corner of Co Clare, and the former courtyard of the main house will provide a ‘small maternity roost’ for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat species

Despite plans for 95 houses and 40 apartments, as well as a 64-bed care facility, over 50 acres of parkland will remain untouched. This is good news for those with an eye to Carnelly Woods’ leafy location — not only will it retain its privacy and seclusion, but there’s always the option of downsizing to the retirement village when circumstances change.

For those who wish to live in increased circumstances, this Carnelly property offers sleek, modern comfort, but with the gravitas of the old. It has an impressive, hand-painted kitchen in maple with a six-seater island unit and a drawing room that’s party perfect — imagine it at this time of year with a tree, a roaring fire and twinkling lights.

The fireplace is a bespoke, granite number, and there are two sets of French doors to the level lawn and patio area outside: this is fringed by woodland and is superbly private.

The quality of the all-ensuite bedroom floor is what one would expect at this level and the master comes with a large terrace over the drawing room wing below: it’s an outdoor room in itself.

Floors are solid oak and internal joinery is top notch with a stunning, oak staircase opening onto a large landing on the upper floor.

Recessed lighting is fitted throughout the house and it sits on a manicured and paddocked site of 1.2 acres. Dromoland’s 18-hole course is a short trip and the N18 is practically on the doorstep, but far enough away so as not to notice. The trees offer a sound barrier against road noise.

Built to unstinting levels by vendor Peter Le-Bas of Le Bas International Air Charter, this is a rare offering for the Mid-West market.

Early Christmas present anyone?

Sherry FitzGerald McMahon are the selling agents.