Lofty ambitions? Perfect, period

SO, you’ve decided to sit out the property market lull and price drops, and to rent in the interim?

Well, fancy a bit of rental comfort while you are at it?

The period pile Knocklofty house in Clonmel, Co Tipperary is back on the rental market after a recent and fairly costly makeover by its enterprising owner Denis English.

It can be yours for a mere €4,000 a month, but before you rule that out, remember that’s for a 17 bedroom, all en suite, all-singing and all-dancing (yes, it has a ballroom) mansion.

That sum equates to about €235 a room per month – on a par with a €1,000 a month rent for a four-bed semi-d. Tempted? Got a dozen-plus friends for a house-share party pad with a difference?

Close to Clonmel, and dating back to the 17th century and with fishing rights on the adjacent River Suir, Knocklofty was at one time the country residence of the Earls of Donoughmore, and in recent years has been both private house, and small hotel.

The owner had it up for rent in 2004, at around the same €4,000 a month level, and now in its re-vamped guise he says if rented for commercial use a higher rent of €6,000 a month will be expected, given all of it amenities and income producing capability, in the right hands. Minimum rental period is for 12 months.

On 40 acres, Knocklofty has four formal reception rooms, including a superb galleried library and ballroom, a commercial kitchen and 17 en-suite bathrooms, with leisure centre and pool alongside. Agent for inquiries is Edward Townshend, of Coliers Jackson Stops’ country division in Dublin.

Rent allowance is not accepted, by the way.