Victorian Property For Sale in Co. Tipperary

This fine character property is believed to have been built in 1886 on lands donated to the Sisters of Mercy by Lady Catherine Butler of Ormonde. Their works including teaching in the village school and nursing in the adjacent hospital. The current owners purchased the property in 2005 and undertook a comprehensive yet sympathetic programme of renovation and upgrading of the building. A renowned and hugely successful restaurant and boutique country guest house business was established in 2006 with an enviable reputation for its tasting menu and stylish guest accommodation.

The Old Convent comprises a handsome 5-bay stone structure with a raised ground floor and steep slate roof, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Knockmealdown mountains. The building, with detailed brick window reveals, retains attractive exposed stone elevations to the east and north, along with the original slate roof. The generous, well-proportioned, accommodation is bright and airy being arranged over four floors with many of its original features still in place. To the ground floor are the impressive reception rooms comprising of drawing room, dining room and restaurant dining room with eight luxurious bedroom suites to the upper floors. The kitchens together with a staff apartment are located to the lower ground floor with the whole building extending to some 743 sq. m (8000 sq. ft) of floor area, all presented in first class order.

Offering a high degree of seclusion, being set well back from the public road, the property is ringed by mature trees and shrubs and surrounded by lovely gardens. The whole extends to circa 2.45 hectares (6.05 acres) and includes a pony paddock and stables, serviced by a rear access.

SOUTH TIPPERARY
The Old Convent is located at the edge of the village of Clogheen some 14 km from the busy market town of Cahir; with a comprehensive range of shopping, financial and leisure facilities. The property is well placed for the M8 Motorway which affords rapid access to Cork and Dublin with Mitchelstown, Lismore and Clonmel within easy reach.

The area, bounded by the Knockmealdowns to the south and Galtees to the north, is known for its outstanding natural beauty and its undulating farmland. There is an abundance of leisure and sporting amenity with hill-walking at The Vee Gap with its spectacular annual display of rhododendron and corrie lake, Bay Lough, on the doorstep. The area provides some of the finest fishing, to the Rivers Suir and Blackwater whilst golf is well catered for with courses at Cahir, Mitchelstown and Lismore. Racing is at Tipperary and Clonmel with an active point-to-point calendar over the winter months. The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival centred on Lismore, takes place in June.

OUTSIDE
To the side is a sunken garden area with canopy and sun terrace /sitting out area with pedestrian access to side road. Immediately to the rear is the house yard with cold water storage tank and boiler shed, housing Grant oil fired condensing boiler. Two further sheds for wood and general storage, with power and water. The farm yard is also served by a rear access drive with solid timber double doors. Traditional stone under slate outbuilding. Hen house and run. The rear access gates are located adjacent to the paddock, which extends to circa 1.78 hectares (4.40 acres).

GARDENS & GROUNDS
To the front of the property there are iron electric gates and gravel drive giving access to the property which is ringed by trees and shrubs. The drive leads to a forecourt with ample parking and is flanked by lawns, trees and a delightful ornamental pond. To the rear there is a rock labyrinth and summer house together with fruit trees and secret garden.

SERVICES
Mains water and electricity. Foul drainage to mains (community scheme). Oil fired central heating. Intruder alarm and two fire alarm systems.

PLANNING
The property has a mixed use with commercial use to all parts, excepting the residential apartment to the lower ground floor (140 sq m). The land has an agricultural zoning – however, it has previously held a residential zoning.

BER CERTIFICATION
The Old Convent is listed as a Protected Structure and as such, under the terms of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2006, Statutory Instrument SI 666 of 2006, it is exempted from the requirement to have a BER Certificate.