Description
An attractive 300-acre (121 hectare) parkland estate within a well-timbered woodland perimeter and including the most attractive early Georgian Sopwell Hall, built 1745, and the striking Killaleigh Castle, which dates to circa 1590. Sopwell Hall is situated in a triangle of the historic towns of Birr, Roscrea and Nenagh. The nearest small town is Borrisokane, which is some 5 miles or 8 kilometres away. The International airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon are within easy driving distance. The fine Georgian house is privately and centrally positioned deep within mature parkland. Killaleigh Castle, built circa 1590, is now unoccupied but largely intact. The stone outbuildings are of the highest quality and richly augment the house and castle. Built in 1745, to a design attributed to the renowned architect Francis Bindon, Sopwell Hall is imposing yet welcoming and conforms to the best traditions of early Georgian architecture. The house stands three storeys over basement with direct access from the ground and basement levels. The magnificent reception hall, lined with distinctive fluted Doric pilasters and divided by a screen of arches, is spacious and well-proportioned. A morning room, study, drawing room and dining room are each impressive. Displaying the very best features and proportions of fine Georgian architecture each is filled with natural light, has impressive large marble chimneypieces with open fires and ornate cornicing. A feature of the entire house is the abundance of natural light with ample tall and large glazed windows. The broad carved staircase leads to a generously large landing on the first floor. Impressive architecturally, there are six matching scagliola sienna marble columns and a large, perfectly proportioned domed ceiling, with a glazed atrium. There are 5 principal bedrooms and 4 bathrooms on this floor. The Master Bedroom Suite occupies the south-eastern corner. The second floor provides 5 further bedrooms and a bathroom and has a games room and study. The lower ground includes a sitting room, large kitchen, wine cellar, laundry and staff apartment. The Studio is positioned in the adjacent courtyard and comprising some 660 square feet or 61 square metres. The accommodation is grand and beautifully executed, with the principal house comprising some 14,235 square feet or 1,322 square metres and including 5 principal reception rooms and 10 bedrooms. A studio and 4 estate lodges combine to present some 18,342 square feet or 1,704 square metres of possible accommodation in total. The estate is a haven of tranquillity and privacy that is rare in the 21st-century. Positioned at the end of a half-mile drive Sopwell Hall occupies a central position within its own estate and enjoys a panoramic view over the park and woodland. The outer parts of the estate comprising a perimeter woodland belt and creating a great sense of privacy and seclusion. Among the many ancient and specimen trees throughout the estate are some particularly fine Spanish chestnut, a noted ancient beech wood and a rare Siberian crab-apple tree. The woodlands include indigenous oak, beech, ash, larch and spruce. All through the year there is a kaleidoscope of colour throughout the estate. There is, too, much wildlife to be found on the estate. Red squirrels, pine martens, foxes and hares are regularly sighted, and buzzards, owls and falcons can also be found. The Coillte forestry, circa 500 acres, which adjoins the estate provides great amenity for long walks in beautiful surroundings. Of the circa 300 acres or 121.4 hectares within the estate about two-thirds comprise matur e parkland grazing and one-third is in woodland. Whilst being wonderfully secluded the estate is nearby to town amenities and easily accessible, with the M7 motorway accessible some 12.4 miles or 20 kilometres away. For full sale details or to arrange a viewing please contact David Ashmore on +353 87 251 2909 or dashmore@lisneysir.com
