Altitude with an attitude at Monamon House in west Waterford

THERE are few properties where you can look down (topographically at least) on Lismore Castle and its ducal family. 

With style, substance and situation, Monamon House in west Waterford is an impressive contemporary build and an unexpected urbane sophisticate in the loveliness of the Blackwater Valley, better known for traditional cottage spreads, new manors and genuine period piles.

Five minutes from the heritage town and reached by a climb of whiplash, single-lane road, Monamon House is approached through automatic gates on stacked cut-stone wings and piers.