An imposing five bay Georgian mansion in need of complete renovation set amongst circa 21 acres of agricultural lands, mature woods and parklands in the heart of the Suir valley bordering three counties: Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford.

The property is offered for sale in three lots as follows:

Lot 1 Rathmore House on Circa 10 acres – Offers in Excess of 399,000

Lot 2 Agricultural Holding Circa 11 Acres – Offers in Excess of 185,000

Lot 3 The Entire – Offers in Excess of 585,000

Originally a traditional farmhouse, Rathmore House was built in c. 1890 and offers extensive and well-laid out accommodation set over three storeys. Bought by the current UK-based owners 30 years ago, they treasured the property as both a home and a place for entertaining. It is now in need of complete renovation and offers a unique opportunity to bring the property back to its former glory.

A sweeping driveway lined with mature trees leads you from the stone wall entrance to the front of the house, where there is ample space for parking. The accommodation is laid out over three floors. Steps lead up to the main entrance which offers access to the front hall, study and drawing room. The rooms are large, featuring high ceilings and original period features with light cascading through the large sash windows.

Continuing through we enter the back hallway which houses a beautiful cantilever staircase. Towards the rear of the property is a large music room, dining room and traditional farmhouse kitchen followed by utility room. There is also a pantry, and a basement which features a wine cellar and storeroom.

On the first floor of the main house, there are four master bedrooms in each corner of the building, and a family bathroom. Above the original farmhouse, and connected to the main house, are two further bedrooms. There is also a third-floor attic with three further rooms which can be accessed by the original service staircase.

The accommodation extends in total to about 9,233 sq. ft / 857 sq. m as shown on the accompanying floorplans.

Location
Rathmore House is located on the outskirts of Fiddown village which provides local services and amenities. Set in the south of the Suir valley, the location is excellent and uniquely straddles the borders of three Irish counties – Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary. This is an area known for its wonderful scenery, outdoor and country activities, farming, mild climate, and tourism.

The closest city to Rathmore House is Waterford (20 km). The historic city is world-renowned for its famous glass factory Waterford Crystal, the founder of which lived himself at Rathmore House. The oldest city in Ireland, it provides a full range of services, amenities, education, and cultural activities. It is home to one of the country’s major ports and was voted the “Best Place to Live in Ireland” by the Irish Times in 2021.

The medieval city of Kilkenny (43 km) is renowned internationally for its rich history, culture of the arts, music, and lifestyle with a broad variety of attractions, festivals, food, and crafts available. Kilkenny city has a wealth of amenities including a wide range of shops, bars, restaurants, culture and professional services. Also known as the marble city, Kilkenny was briefly the capital of Ireland during the 1600’s.

Mount Juliet Estate & Golf Club is only 30 kilometers distance with a beautiful venue including the Michelin star restaurant, Lady Helen.

The area is world renowned for its equine industry with Gowran Park Racecourse (44 km) and Clonmel Racecourse (28 km) in close proximity.

Waterford Castle Hotel and Golf Resort (23km) offers a unique parkland course situated on an island not far from the heart of Waterford City and is accessible only by ferry.

International connections
The property benefits from excellent transportation links, including the nearby N24 which connects Limerick to Waterford. Dublin airport is under two hours away (170km), while Rosslare Port is 88 kilometers from the property with regular sailings to the UK and mainland Europe. Waterford Airport (29km) is due to re-open in the near future which will provide quick and convenient access to the UK.

Schools
There are a variety of excellent schools in the local area, including Newtown School situated in Waterford City, which provides day and boarding facilities for both boys and girls.

History
Rathmore House in Fiddown was built in c. 1890 for Charles Gregory, an uncle of Lady Isabella Augusta Gregory. Lady Gregory, a friend and patron of the poet W.B. Yeats, was one of the founders of the National Theatre of Ireland, also known as The Abbey Theatre, in Dublin. The property was later home to Charles Bacik, a co-founder of the internationally renowned Waterford Crystal. Bacik emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Ireland in 1946. His granddaughter, Ivana Bacik is a politician and the current leader of the Irish Labour Party.

Three children grew up at Rathmore and remember spending their holidays exploring the woods, building treehouses and benefitting from a ‘free-range’ upbringing within safe and expansive grounds.

During springtime, the driveway is flanked by thousands of bright yellow daffodils. And hundreds of swallows make Rathmore their home every year, co-existing amongst red admiral butterflies, rabbits, bees and western jackdaws that guard the tops of the trees of the woodland.

In the summer the family would host barbeques under a natural canopy of green leaves in the woods, storing cold beers in ice baths nestled in the meadow grass. They enjoyed a magical time at this unique and rare home.

At Christmas they would host musical soirees around the Steinway full concert grand piano which was acquired for just fifty Irish Punts from a local community hall. Music and literature would drift from wall to wall, and charity poker games were held in front of the glowing fireplace in the drawing room.

In the 1990’s one of the larger rooms of the house, known as the music room, became a dance studio as part of a performing arts school. Two of the outbuildings were converted into an art studio and gallery in the early 2000’s. The family are sad to have to let this remarkable home go but are excited about the prospects of what it might become under new ownership.

GROUND FLOOR ACCOMMODATION
Entrance hall
Drawing room
Study
Back hall
Music room
Dining room
Kitchen
Utility / Laundry room
Conservatory
Pantry
Service staircase

FIRST FLOOR ACCOMMODATION
Large upstairs landing
Seven bedrooms
Family bathroom
Shower room with WC
WC

Basement
Wine Cellar
Store room

OUTSIDE
Extensive range of traditional stone outbuildings including:
Cow shed
Cart house
Stables
Woodsheds etc.

GARDENS & GROUNDS
Stone wall entrances (front and back)
Asphalt front driveway
Rear driveway
Graveled yards
Lawns
Parkland
Woodland (including: lime; oak; ash; beech mature and young; and various coniferous species)
Walled mature orchard (with wide range of cooking and eating varieties)
Walled rear paddock
Front field
Natural spring water well.

Lot Two
The east field extends to about 11 acres in total and lies in a single block. The land comprises of productive plough-able pasture. Suitable for modern agriculture, the land is enclosed by a combination of mature hedgerows and fencing.

The topography of the land is generally level with a high point of 88 ft / 27 m above sea level at the north-west boundary and a low point of 65 ft / 20 m above sea level at the south-east boundary. There is an agricultural entrance off the N24 road.