Model property, from head to toe

Late 1700s Georgian home in Castleconnell has views over the Shannon with the sound of a weir in the background

Turning around this late 1700s Georgian home in Castleconnell, with its views over the Shannon and the sound of a weir in the background, was a labour of love for owner Barbara McMahon, former presenter of RTÉ’s fashion show Head to Toe, and a former model in her own right.

And, as you might expect, her labours are all to the good of this modest-size beauty, with renewed graceful proportions and with curves in all the right places. Example? a new (ie, 2006) bow-ended gable, home to an elegant ground floor living/sunroom, and with a softly feminine and richly swagged master bedroom suite above.

McMahon’s magic has maximised the charms of what was originally a compact enough Georgian dwelling, as even after her additions, it still measures a manageable 2,125 sq ft, all of them quite perfectly presented.

Agents Kerstin Fenelon and Harriet Grant of Savills Country guide Mall House at €465,000, and say it’s a most attractive mix, overlooking the Shannon and a well-regarded salmon fishing beat, ancient woodland, and is private, even though it’s village-set.

Mall House is set between the road and the Shannon, with an ESB access drive apparently running along the riverbank, with right of way access from Mall House’s landscaped and flower-decked grounds to the river’s edge.

It’s all had a full renovation, even though McMahon originally bought it in the late 1990s as an investment; she later traded down from another larger house in the hinterland, and did this up as her new home.

She’s since relocated up the country to Louth, hence the sale via Savills and it’s already showing a treat — you can just imagine how it would shine out at Christmas.

All kept in suitably sumptuous country home style, with sample injections of old salvaged stripped pine inside and with painted window shutters put up on the front facade. It has two reception rooms, with good proportions and fireplaces, with a rear sun room off the drawing room with French doors to the terraced patio.

The kitchen’s the warm, beating heart, with a dark green Stanley range for cooking and central heating, gas-fired and fit for purpose, backed up by a couple of gas-insert fires elsewhere for creature comforts. This old, kept-country room has distressed painted pine units, dresser and recessed shelving, wood floor, Belfast sink and a gas hob, while wood-cased door frames show the old walls’ thickness.

A number of the rooms, (and including the hall) have window seats, and there’s more seating outdoors on the meticulously planted, graveled and paved terrace with lawn area beneath.

Upstairs, there are three restful bedrooms, and two have double door access to balconies. The master bedroom is one of those blessed with a balcony, it also has its bow gable end, vaulted wood-panelled ceiling, en suite bathroom (also accessed from the landing) and a dressing room, carpeted and with built-in robes. The second bedroom’s en suite has a bath, as well as a shower.

For those into the river aspect, there’s a rowing club almost on the doorstep, and a few miles upriver is Killaloe and Lough Derg, for marinas, cruisers and sailing options.

The pretty village of Castleconnell is nine miles from Limerick, and about 25 from Shannon airport, while the M7 to Dublin is easily reached via Birdhill.

VERDICT: Surprise surprise: among owner Barbara McMahon’s many skills is interior design. Consider Mall House her sales calling card.