Classic 200 Year Old Farmhouse For Sale in Co. Wicklow

This classic c.200 year old two-storey farmhouse has retained its former glory owing to its authentic restoration. The stable block also underwent the same experience and now houses three apartments and a further potential apartment; all restoration has been carried out sympathetically to this period property. The farmhouse and the adjacent converted stable block house many original features that are still intact such as the twisted oak beam in the kitchen, concealed staircase and handcrafted cornice in the main sitting room; these are all extremely unusual and possibly unique as they reflect the rich history of the property.

The farmhouse comprises of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, living room and a large kitchen/dining room. Central heating is oil fired; this is augmented by a wood-burning stove which creates a really cosy atmosphere in the main sitting room. The converted Stable Block hosts three apartments and one further potential apartment which contains suitable space for an office or studio.

The Farmhouse – Ground Floor
The plans illustrate that the farmhouse is entered through the front porch and on into the kitchen/dining room. The twisted oak beam in this kitchen once rested over an open fire where meals were cooked in large pots hanging from a crane; this is the Farmhouse’s main connection to the past and was uncovered during the restoration of the kitchen. The main sitting room is a comfortable size and includes a woodburning stove for those cosy winter evenings; its window looks out over the courtyard and grounds. The hand sawn cornice at the junction between the ceiling and the walls is another reminder of the house’s history.

The living room hosts French doors which turn this room into a sunroom; outside birds come close to the French doors to avail of the hanging feeders. Woodpeckers are regular visitors to the feeders. Swallows migrate here every year to rear their young within the outbuilding roofs whilst many other birds live here all year round. The French doors enable views of Ballinacor mountain to the rear of the property and another window frames the courtyard and the distant hills that surround the front of the property providing wonderful views.

Also on the ground floor is the master bedroom, entered from the living room through a small hallway with a bathroom to the left. Once the hallway door is closed this master bedroom with its own ensuite is an oasis of peace; this bedroom is brightly lit by its three large windows which enable views out over the courtyard and grounds and on to the distant fields and hills.

Construction of a rear extension has commenced (foundations and rising walls exist). This potential extension has been designed to have a ground floor area of marginally less than 40 sq.m. which allows it to be constructed as ‘exempted development’ i.e., planning permission not required. This extension could house a fully glazed single living space with incredible views out over the fields and beyond.

The Farmhouse – Second Floor
The hidden staircase from the kitchen to the second-floor bedrooms and the bathroom hosts original wooden wall panelling; these panels were, before the restoration were layered with years of old wallpaper. Once on the landing upstairs, to your right there are two bedrooms of a reasonable size with windows that look out over the courtyard and grounds. These two bedrooms share a family bathroom, which has a large bath and a separate shower.

The Stable Block
The stable block is situated to the left of the Farmhouse; it has rear/side single storey extensions and the block hosts three apartments and a further potential apartment or a studio/office, ideally set up to work from home. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms are included within this potential apartment. A total of five bathrooms are located within the stable block. Each existing apartment has a wood-burning stove; and 3 apartments are also served by electric storage radiators which are economical as they run on night rate electricity.

The Grounds and Gardens
One large outhouse and three smaller sheds could be adapted for numerous uses; these buildings have provided a workshop and storage space for gardening equipment, machinery, garden tools and wood in the past. To the rear of the Farmhouse winding paths take you around a well-established herb garden. Both culinary and medicinal herbs are planted; their flowers attract the bees from the hives in the orchard. The vegetables and herbs grown in the polytunnel, the orchard and fruit bush areas also receive visits from the bees during pollination time. The raspberry canes supply an abundance of fruit in June and July; at other times the rhubarb, gooseberries, blackcurrants, cherries, pears, plums and apples are also in abundance. Large resident Artichoke plants produce an abundance of food for birds and yourselves. Wildflowers and herbs dominate both the rear garden and front garden as the seasons change; flowering shrubs also provide splashes of colour to the garden. Wildflowers such as Bluebells, Wild Garlic, Primroses, Cowslips, Wild Strawberries, Poppies, Daisies and Buttercups are all in abundance and wonderfully colourful at their respective flowering times. Many Snowdrops, Daffodils and Tulips provide colour early every spring. The property also has its own water supply from a well which has been recently upgraded (new submersible pump, pressure chamber etc.) to meet all current EU standards. The quality of the water has always been appreciated by everyone.

Income Generating Business
There is a portfolio put together by the owners of the property to highlight the amount of registered tourist business success they undertook over a period of circa 30 years, such as bed and breakfast, walking groups (full board), afternoon teas, self-catering, and finally longer-term residential tenants.

Services
Oil-fired central heating, Well-water supply (recently upgraded), 2 No. Septic Tanks.

Local Information
The property is surrounded by fields which are usually occupied in the summer months by the neighbouring farmer’s Friesian milking herd. Ballinacor Mountain is very visible from the Farmhouse and grounds; its seasonal colour contrasts with that of the nearer fields and mature trees. These fields flow down to the property’s boundaries and are there to walk if gates are closed. The Glenmalure Valley is only fifteen minutes’ drive away; then walking will take you onto the Wicklow Way (long distance walking track) or on up to the Table Mountain and possibly up to the top of Lugnaquilla mountain. The Glenmalure Hotel is nestled in this valley and is an oasis for walkers with good food and music some evenings; all to be enjoyed after a long hike appreciating the mountains, upland lakes, steep-sided glacial valleys and forests.

When leaving the property after driving down the laneway you can turn right past the Church and on to Ballinaclash village only minutes away. Turning left at the bottom of the lane you’re heading towards the village of Greenane; cross the bridge and continue driving and you’ll arrive in the larger town of Rathdrum which is situated high on the western side of the beautiful Avonmore Valley and offers the tourist majestic views of the River Avonmore below, which flows down from the Vale of Clara. Rathdrum was the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history. A modern Health Centre, new Library, Supermarket, Credit Union, Pubs, Café, Takeaways, Schools, a Children’s playground and Public Park area, Builders Merchant, a Train Station, Bus Stops and recently developed Aqua Park are all to be found in Rathdrum.

Conveniently this idyllic property in County Wicklow, which is known as the garden of Ireland, is only one hour commute from Dublin. The property benefits from excellent transportation systems, including the M11 (19 km) which connects Dublin to Wicklow, and Wexford. Dublin’s International Airport is 78 kilometres to the north, while Rosslare Ferryport is 104 km to the south and has regular sailings to the UK and Europe. There are railway stations in both Rathdrum, Wicklow and Arklow, with regular services to Dublin City.

In Rathdrum there is a great selection of both primary and secondary schools serving the local area including St. Saviours National School (7 km), Rathdrum Boys National School (6 km) and Avondale Community College (6 km).

In addition, this property is only half an hour’s drive to the stunning coastline and sandy beaches of County Wicklow; Brittas Bay being the most popular beach boasting miles of golden sands (Lifeguard in attendance during summer months).

BER Details
Farmhouse BER rating: E2 / BER No: 115157596
The Cart Track BER rating: E2 / BER No: 115157570
The Dairy BER rating: D2 / BER No: 115157521
The Stable BER rating: F / BER No: 115157562
The Store BER rating: E2 / BER No: 115157588