Price plummets for stunning period home on five acres

NEW houses have crowded in around Clonmel’s Glenconnor House, a period home on five acres of grounds with more than a 40% price drop — down to a quoted reserve of €850,000.

That price level (it had failed last year to sell at a c €1.5 million AMV) equates to the launch price in summer last year of some of the larger new homes in Clonmel’s adjacent Parklands scheme, built on part of Glenconnor’s original lands. Some of that scheme’s best offerings were put up for sale ranging in price from €800,000 to over €900,000, the latter for a 3,700 sq ft five-bed showhouse of 3,700 sq ft.

Now, sales might have been understandably sluggish for those new offerings, but for in or around the€850k level, opportune buyers can get the original of the species, some 8,400 sq ft of Georgian home/property, Glenconnor itself, with accommodation on two levels above basement, and with eight first-floor bedrooms as well.

More than big enough for any family, it also might be made work for its living: within the last month, full planning has been given to convert and adapt Glenconnor and its stable block complex behind into a restaurant/café/meeting rooms/specialist food retail/bar and accommodation. Location is just a mile from Clonmel town, and Karen Pollard of Tom Pollard auctioneers notes “it’s a rare opportunity to acquire a prestigious country-estate type residence located at the edge of the thriving town of Clonmel”.

While new housing and a garden centre have moved up close to its rear, it is still offered for sale on five acres of ground.

The original house was constructed circa 1797 (credit for its design is given variously to Sir Richard Morrison, of Fota House, Carton House and Ballyfin fame, and to an architect called Tinsley). It was built for the Watson family of private banking repute, two balancing wings were added in the 1840s and it was also owned for a while by the Cleves, of confectionery and toffee fame.

Glenconnor’s grounds have some impressive mature trees, there’s a pleasant approach avenue and behind is “a charming cobblestone courtyard with a large loft-type studio and other mews outbuildings, suitable for a variety of uses and could be made into a restaurant with the atmosphere of something like Powerscourt,” says Karen Pollard.

Overall condition is good with period detailing such as plasterwork and stucco plaster detailing, some original mahogany doors, fireplaces and foyer with feature staircase with half landing with 12-pane Georgian window.

A bay window has access to the flower garden, and rooms include a library, family room, bathroom, back pantry, small office/store, boot room and back porch. There are eight bedrooms (three en suite) on the first floor, a small nursery and a main bathroom. The basement, meanwhile, has a snooker room, a wine cellar and ancillary rooms.

The separate stable block has 3,400 sq ft of space, with loft studio, loose boxes and is topped with an original rooster weather vane. There’s also a coach house, workshop and a three-roomed apartment.