Tipperary home could be your castle

Trish Dromey says these character-filled solid properties, near Cashel, will be a big draw.

Ardmayle, Tipperary €500,000 

232m sq & 130 sq m (2,500 sq ft & 1,400 sq ft) 

Bedrooms: 6 & 3 Bathrooms: 3 & 2 

BER: Pending

Every man’s home is his castle, but this old RIC Barracks in Tipperary with a castellated lookout tower is considerably more castle-like than most homes.

Built in the 1800s on an elevated site at the junction of three roads at Ardmayle, it commands uninterrupted views of the surrounding area.

By the late 1990s the thick stone-walled building had become a derelict ruin where sheep grazed.

Purchased by a local returning to the area, the old barracks was transformed from a shell into an imposing residence and the lookout tower was reinstated so the owner could take in the views.

The owner, who had worked in the antiques business in London, remodeled the building in keeping with its era, turning it into a six-bed house with a Victorian feel and 20th century comfort.

Renamed Castle House, the property has arched doors, high ceilings, marble fireplaces, picture rails and is decorated in period style. The floors have been fitted with reclaimed oak parquet, originally used in the Houses of Parliament in London.

Offering over 2,500 sq ft of living space it has a living room, a dining room and a kitchen with timber units at ground level. The first floor has four bedrooms, including two en suites, and the second floor two very large bedrooms. Fitted with leaded double glazed windows, the house has oil fired heating.

The front lookout tower, which offers panoramic views of countryside and the Galtees in the distance, has been replicated at the rear to accommodate a staircase to the upper floors.

When the owner renovated the barracks, he also built a new stone faced property just next to it.

Called Shamrock Lodge this is a three-bed house which has also been decorated in period style. It has a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a utility room and one ground floor en suite bedroom. Upstairs there are two bedrooms including one en suite.

The two properties, which share a one acre site are now being sold by Maher Auctioneers, with an asking price of €500,000.

Estate agent Nick Maher says these unique properties, located five miles from Cashel, could be of interest to a family with relatives or grandparents to accommodate.

VERDICT: The character, history and location in an area popular for fishing, shooting and hunting might give the properties holiday rental possibilities.