Period Country House For Sale in Co. Tipperary

HISTORY
When it was built around the early nineteenth century, Drominagh Lodge was reported to be a ‘handsome residence’, costing more than £1,000. Built for the Biggs family of Castle Biggs, the house has a rich and illustrious history, connecting it to the story of Ireland, as it passed into the hands of the Fogarty family, good friends of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith, the first President of Dáil Éireann.

Stories wrapping around the house include the tale of the fine and elegant gate posts at the top of the tree-lined avenue having been won by a member of the Biggs family at a particularly deep card game in Galway.

Owned by the same family since the 1880s, today that history sits peacefully within Drominagh’s stone walls, and rests gently in the woodlands that surround the property. It is one of a string of classic Irish Period Country houses that are dotted along the lush landscapes of the shores of Lough Derg.

Drominagh comes from an era when Victorian elements were lifting the heavier symmetry of the Georgian period. This gives touches such as a colonnaded veranda, arched stone steps leading to the front door, and lovely deeply-inset casement windows with panelled surrounds and shutters. The ceilings are high, and the proportions are good, making this a wonderful canvas from which to draw inspiration and make a true gem for the next generation.

The approx. 3.67 hectares (9 acres) that surround the house add a pond, millrace and working water wheel, and specimen trees including a classic monkey puzzle. There are well tended woodlands, and a farmyard with three barns and additional outbuildings. All these add to the potential of this remarkable and beautiful spot.

DROMINAGH LODGE
Reached via a charming arched flight of stone steps, and under a period fan lit front door, the oldest part of Drominagh is a classic Victorian hunting box, with a symmetrical layout. Built into a fall in the land, you come in on the upper floor, and find a pair of formal reception rooms flanking the hall. Both the drawing and dining rooms are dual aspect, with original fireplaces, solid wood floors, high ceilings, tall windows, and original decorative plasterwork.

Four of the five bedrooms are on this floor, and a family bathroom. Downstairs at garden level, the hall leads to a large dual aspect sitting room with fireplace and French window to the left, with its mirror image, currently a bedroom to the right.

Behind is a cloakroom, and opposite a study. To the rear there is a large kitchen, with Aga, leading on to a very lovely sunroom overlooking the pond and millrace. Two storage and utility rooms are behind. The well proportioned layout gives plenty of scope to reconfigure and create a beautiful and elegant family home, perfect for relaxing as well as entertaining.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
Elegant stone piers flank the gateway to Drominagh Lodge. Said to have been won at a card game in Galway back in the late 1800s, they set the tone for the gardens and grounds, as they lead to a lovely tree lined avenue, curving to welcome you to the front of the house.

The c. 9 acres of grounds include well-tended woodlands, specimen trees, and a separate farm yard housing three barns as well as plenty of other outbuildings, which add a total of c. 371.6 sq m / 3,999 sq ft of additional space.

The gardens are dotted with seating areas, and pathways and the entire aspect of Drominagh is made even more charming by the pool and millrace, crossed by little bridges, and working water wheel alongside the house. This is overlooked by the conservatory, which leads on to a pretty patio area.

The gardens and grounds have been beautifully considered and tended over the years, and include marvellous trees including a weeping ash, monkey puzzle, tree ferns, mature shrubs and more.

Drominagh offers you all the mature beauty that can only be gathered by time, and the chance to add your own stamp to create a wonderful home for the future.

LOCATION
The pretty villages along Ireland’s famed Lough Derg all have their own attractions and characteristics. Ballinderry and Terryglass are no exceptions, with heritage pubs, restaurants, a community market and access to all the amenities the famous lake has to offer.

Nearby Dromineer is home to the Lough Derg Yacht Club, one of the oldest in the world, and here you’ll also find more cafés, bars and shops. The main town of Nenagh is a bustling market town with a choice of spots to shop and eat, as well as schools. There is a national school nearby, and there is a strong and welcoming community on your doorstep.

Alongside sailing and boating; horse riding, lake swimming and fishing are also favourite pastimes in the region, and there is golf at the Nenagh golf club. Limerick an hour away, and Dublin is an easily accessible two hours.

4 km / 7 minutes to Terryglass
21 km/ 25 minutes to Dromineer
27 km / 30 mins to Nenagh
70 km / 1 hour to Limerick
94 km/ 1 hour ten minutes to Shannon Airport
168 km / 2 hours 15 minutes to Dublin
179 km / 2 hours ten minutes to Dublin Airport
All distances are approximate.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
SALE METHOD – By Private Treaty.
FIXTURES & FITTINGS – The fitted carpets, curtains are included in the sale.
SERVICES & FEATURES – Mains electricity, septic tank for foul drainage, oil fired central heating, well water.
TENURE – For Sale Freehold.