Waterford's €350k Parochial House is yours for just 1% of James Dyson's €35m Ballynatray

Come pray, or prey, for €350k West Waterford Parochial House 

Answer to prayers? Parochial House at Ballyheeny Clashmore West Waterford is for sale on 12 acres via agent Brian Gleeson

Clashmore, West Waterford
€350,000
Size	252 sq m (2,675 sq ft)
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	2-
BER	E2

YOU don’t have to be parochial to covet a parochial house, especially one such as this one, half way between Cork and Waterford cities: it’s also just east of the River Blackwater and the Ballynatray Estate (pic below) where new owner James Dyson is embarking on a multi-million euro further spend on his early 2024 great Irish estate purchase, loosely put already in the broad €35m investment league.

Under wraps: James Dyson paid €35m for Ballynatray and has now embarked on further renovations. Pic: Christy Parker

For a fraction of that mammoth spend — say just 1% — you could get your hands on the Parochial House at Ballyheeny, on the edge of compact and historic Clashmore village in west Waterford.

Setting near the Blackwater

Instead of Ballynatray’s c 850 acres, this mid-to-late 19th century build is offered on a still decent 12 acres, with old stone outbuildings.

Estate agent Brian Gleeson, based in Ardmore and Dungarvan, guides the 250 sq ft/2,675 sq ft five -bed house at €350,000 and says it has ”a unique blend of historical charm and modern convenience.”

The Parochial House has already had a long innings, serving a Roman Catholic parish in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore (in Ireland we use the term parochial house more than other countries do for clerical homes: other denominations and countries use the likes of rectory, parsonage, manse, and vicarage, before going up the pay scale to Canon’s House, Deanery, or Bishop’s Palace...)

Interior

Now vacated, and a do-er up opportunity, Ballyheeny/Clashmore Parochial House is a robust two-storey property a field back from the road out of Clashmore back to the N25, with the River Blackwater a short spin beyond, and magnificent Ballytray and Molana Abbey on the opposite riverbank: kayak trip for a look-see from the adjacent angler’s Ballynaclash Quay, anyone, all the way down to the sea by Ferrypoint and Youghal?

Comes with 12 acres

Selling on behalf of the parish, Mr Gleeson says the 1876-built property is now a bit of a renovation project and after a few weeks on the market he’s getting a good cross section of interest, primarily from those who want a rural but not isolated period home, with privacy.

Buyers may opt to work the 12 acres of good land themselves (as good for pasture as tillage, he notes), or continue to rent it to a local family as has been done for a number of years until now.

The tall, double-roofed and gable-fronted home has a feature front door with circular pane in the fanlight over the door, has a central hall, two reception rooms to the right, one with side bay window, large kitchen and office, while overhead are five bedrooms, one with walk-in dressing room/robes and main bathroom, with a guest WC back at ground level by the office and utility.

It’s had replacement windows fitted, has a E2 BER and as an adjunct has the enclosed courtyard with high stone wall and some outbuildings for storage, for pets or for hobbies.

Auctioneer Mr Gleeson says it’s a five minute drive back down to the N25, with beach options then at the likes of Ardmore, Youghal or other hideaway coves and inlets, and town amenity option at Dungarvan or Youghal.

VERDICT: Worth saying a small prayer for?