18th Century Residence For Sale in Co. Meath

Special Features
– Impressive early 18th Century 3-bay residence dating from 1725
– Beautiful parkland location along the River Blackwater
– 2 bedroom Gate Lodge
– Equestrian facilities and outdoor sand arena
– Superb parkland which included a renowned hunter trials/cross country course
– Approx. 62.5 ha (154.5 acres) of lush green fields and mature woodland
– Fishing rights to the River Blackwater
– Fenced paddocks and roadways.
– Close proximity to Dublin

History
Bachelors Lodge, built in 1725 by the Earl of Essex, is located on the road between Navan and Kells in Scallanstown. Described as a mid-eighteenth-century hunting lodge, it features plasterwork from the 1760s and a Victorian porch with Victorian tiled flooring. The property has a rich history with notable residents, including Joseph Lowry, a prominent owner and breeder who bred successful racehorses, including the 1913 Irish Derby winner Bachelors Wedding. Today, Bachelors Lodge houses a superb equestrian centre, blending its historical charm with modern functionality.

Bachelors Lodge
The property is approached by a long, wide avenue leading to a gravelled forecourt surrounded by well-maintained lawns and mature trees, offering excellent shelter and privacy.

The main house boasts bright and spacious reception rooms with high ceilings and excellent proportions throughout. This grand residence offers superb accommodation over three floors. The present stud was established by the vendor’s great-grandfather in 1880, and it has been utilised as a working stud farm and until recently, as a premier equestrian centre.

The ground floor comprises a large glazed Victorian porch with stained glass inlay and original tile flooring. From here, one is lead into the centre hall which houses the main staircase. Features include original tiled flooring, cornicing, and ornate shoulder architrave door casements. The drawing room features a fine white marble fireplace, timber flooring, and a ceiling rose, providing a bright and elegant space for entertaining. The morning room, also with a marble fireplace with wood burning stove, offers a cozy atmosphere with views of the garden.

Continuing on off the main hall is the dining room which overlooks the rear courtyard and features timber panelled ceilings, adding a touch of rustic charm and warmth. The side hall, with flagstone flooring and half-panelled walls, leads to the garden. The kitchen is well-equipped with a range of timber wall and floor units, an Aga, stainless steel sink unit, tiled splashback, and timber panelled ceiling. Adjacent to the kitchen is a utility room with additional storage. The boot room, formerly used for churning butter, retains its original tiled and vaulted ceiling, enhancing its historic character.

Upstairs, the landing leads to a balcony with a stone balustrade, offering a lovely views of the gardens. The main bedroom features timber flooring, fitted wardrobes, and a corniced ceiling, with an adjacent dressing room fitted with full-length cupboards. The second bedroom includes a cast iron fireplace and corniced ceiling, while the third bedroom features a bay window, timber flooring, and a cast iron fireplace. The fourth bedroom, with a timber panelled vaulted ceiling, has an en-suite bathroom equipped with a bath, Triton power shower, wash hand basin, and wc. The fifth bedroom features a marble fireplace and corniced ceiling. A shared bathroom with half-panelled walls, bath with shower attachment, wash hand basin, and toilet completes the first-floor accommodation.

The second floor which has been recently re-roofed has three additional bedrooms, all with timber floors and vaulted ceilings, providing ample accommodation. These rooms retain their original features, including cast iron fireplaces, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Gardens & Lands
The gardens are compact and well-kept, featuring maintained lawns, a variety of shrubs, and mature trees, including rhododendron, Japanese maple, Irish yew, azalea, sycamore, beech, and evergreens. The long avenue splits into two, leading to the main house and the stable yard.

The lands, extending to approx. 62.5 ha (154.5 acres), are mainly laid to pasture and parkland, sloping gently towards the River Blackwater to the rear of the property. This area included a renowned hunter trials course incorporating various estate features such as mature woodland and a stream providing a natural water jump. The tillage lands are of superb quality and for the most part is characterized by a large field to the left of the main avenue. The lands are also drained well with mature hedging surrounding most of the boundary.

Equestrian Facilities
The yard includes lawns and a range of single and two-storey buildings with foaling/stallion loose boxes, a tack room, and additional accommodation suitable for staff. The Lower Garden Yard contains lofted stables and sheds, while the Inner Yard includes 25 stables and an outdoor sand arena. The Barn Yard has haysheds and additional storage facilities.

Gate Lodge
The beautifully refurbished and extended gate lodge, with its restored stone walls and two-bedroom extension, features a living room with a solid fuel stove, kitchen/dining room, and modern amenities.

Location
Bachelors Lodge is ideally situated between Navan and Kells in County Meath, a region steeped in history and natural beauty. Meath is renowned for its rich historical heritage, including Clonard, said to be Ireland’s first university where the 12 Holy men of Ireland studied. The area is also home to Bru Na Boinne at Newgrange, Ireland’s only “World Heritage” designated site, famous for the Winter Solstice when the sun illuminates the ancient chamber.

Navan, just 5.6 km (3.5 miles) away, is a thriving commuter town offering modern retail and leisure amenities along the River Boyne. It hosts numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as various sporting facilities such as golf (Headfort, Navan, Royal Tara), horseracing (Navan, Fairyhouse, Bellewstown), fishing, rugby, and football. With a population of around 28,500, Navan is a major commuter suburb, with many residents working in Dublin City. The town is accessible via the M3 motorway, providing a short travel distance to the M50 motorway.

Kells, located 9 km (6 miles) from Bachelor’s Lodge, is a Heritage Town known for its royal history and religious significance. It was a royal residence before St. Colmcille established a religious settlement in 550. The monks from his community on the Scottish island of Iona fled to Kells in 806 to escape Viking raids, and it was here that they completed the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the Four Gospels. While the original is housed in Trinity College, copies can be viewed in the Kells Heritage Centre and in the Church of Ireland. Kells Round Tower, dating from Viking times, is another historical landmark. Nearby Teltown, also known as Tailte in Gaelic, was the site of the Aonach Tailteann, an ancient festival featuring sports, recitations, music, and dancing in honour of pagan gods.

Services
– mains electricity
– 3 well water supplies
– private foul drainage for the main house
– the gate lodge has a septic tank
– Eir broadband

BER Details
BER: G
BER Number: 117666669
Energy Performance Indicator: 282.71