Former corn mill transformed

Rose Martin says four-bedroomed Hollywell Mill has a craftsman’s finish

THERE were some great vanity projects in the boom – glass and steel towers in the capital and lesser variations throughout the country.

Down the scale, where we all live, were the more domestic versions – sunroom extensions going all the way up to the status-enhancing properties of an average of 3,500 square foot.

And then, there were those quirky projects, the ones where architectural heritage was preserved and saved as one of the most positive side-effects of the property madness.

Retired schoolteacher, Matt Harte fits into the latter group of builders. The west Cork man had been teaching in Tipperary for years and wanted something to do in his retirement.

He found it in Hollywell Mill, a tall, square, corn mill which he and a dedicated workforce transformed into period, but modern home.

Floated on the market two years ago at €500,000, the Dunkerrin, Roscrea, property is now up for sale again, but seeking offers in the region of €400,000 through agent Dominic Daly.

When he laid down the duster and chalk in 2005, Harte set about restoring the roofless, ivy covered stone building which had originally been completed in 1750. The painstaking repair now sees the Mill transformed into a four-bedroomed, 2,500 square foot home with bespoke fittings and craftsman finish.

Matt Harte sourced as much material as possible in the area, and hired a local craftsman to make the central staircase, doors and windows from kiln-dried solid oak.

The layout is fairly open plan with two large rooms on each floor, and while the house is ready-to-go as a living space, it hasn’t been styled to showhouse standard.

There is, however, a fine modern kitchen and all bathrooms are complete, as well as quality flooring on three levels.

The ground floor has a fully fitted kitchen/living room with integrated appliances and a solid fuel stove, plus one en-suite bedroom with fireplace.

The first floor has a large sitting room with a balcony to take in long country views, and there’s an adjoining en suite bedroom at this level too while the second floor has two bedrooms and en suite bathrooms.

Hollywell Mill is wrapped in layers of rock wool, has zoned oil heating, with Stanley stove back-up and stands on two acres of land.

The Nore flows by the boundary and the grounds are laid to lawn. The sale includes a garage, hidden by clever landscaping.

Hollywell Mill is just off the M7 and is eight miles from Roscrea and 15 miles from Nenagh. And with a sale conclude, Matt Harte will begin another project, he says.