WHILE MANY PEOPLE may dream of owning a beautiful country house on a sprawling estate, more often than not, the reality is vastly different. Restoration costs, constant upkeep and keeping on top of bills are just some of the inevitabilities when it comes to taking on such a place.
Ballindoolin House in Co Kildare is an exception, however. Where many country houses are in dire need of future proofing and updating, this Georgian manor in Co Kildare has already been restored by the current owners. It took four years to make Ballindoolin House what it is now – a fully renovated historic house that’s ready for new owners to take on and, more than likely, make a business out of it. Sitting on 238 acres, it’s now on the market for €3,500,000.
Just some of the renovations included a refurbishing of the sash windows and shutters, and all internal doors. The flooring on the ground floor was replaced and underfloor heating was added. Even all of the chimneys were relined along with the roof and many of the outbuildings’ roofs redone. The house has also been rewired and replumbed. These things alone will mean fewer headaches for the next owner.
Of course, the entrance hall sets the tone for the house with its fireplace, a stone flagged floor and intricate plasterwork. Off this welcoming space, there are reception rooms to left and right that both have double aspects and are filled with natural light.
The elegant hallway leads to a number of reception rooms – and they’ve all seen extensive refurbishment without sacrificing their roots. Original fireplaces and beautiful cornicing and even wallpaper recreated from surviving samples means these rooms all hark back to the 19th century.
One of the newest additions to the house is the conservatory. Home to a bright and more modern dining space, it sits off the high-end kitchen by Newcastle Design with Aga included.
All of the bedrooms on the first floor have the luxury of having en suite bathrooms. This already lends Ballindoolin House to being used as a B&B or wedding venue. All of the bathrooms have also been recently renovated.
Three more bedrooms make up the top floor, two of which have their own bathrooms. There is also a beautiful library filled with light and with great views to the rolling hills outside.
A handy utility room is also on this top floor, which can often make sense seeing as the bedrooms can produce the most laundry.
Ballindoolin House is approached by an avenue and is surrounded by acres of grounds, mature trees and a number of outbuildings.
There is also a gate lodge designed by architect William Morrison (1794-1838), that has a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
To the back of the main house are two very large yards that include a stables, two coach houses that could be renovated into much more accommodation.
And adding to the business opportunities this country house presents, there is a museum that shows the history of Ballindoolin along with a restaurant and shop. Behind the yards is a spectacular two-acre walled garden, restored under the Great Gardens Restoration scheme.
In terms of location, Ballindoolin House is in the Kildare countryside, close to the Offaly town of Edenderry, which is ten minutes away. The M4 is also a ten minute drive away, so Dublin is reachable within the hour.
There will still be bills to pay, gardens to maintain and a 1106 m² floor area to upkeep, but the new owner will certainly be starting from a good place – in a great position to start a thriving and rewarding business. This is not to say that anyone who takes on Ballindoolin House won’t have their work cut out for them, but no doubt it will be worth it.
Ballindoolin House , Carbury, Co Kildare is on the market for €3,500,000 through Sherry Fitzgerald.
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