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Ardbraccan House, Ardbraccan, Navan, County Meath, C15W8C0, Ireland

€10,150,000
Sherry FitzGerald, Country Homes, Farms and Estates
PROPERTY TYPE

Detached

BEDROOMS

11

SIZE

Ask agent

Description

Once home to the Lord Bishop of Meath, and with a history going back one thousand years, Ardbraccan House owes its design to one of the most significant architects working in Georgian Ireland. Thanks to award winning restoration works, this Palladian Mansion is presented in ideal condition, while the approx. 101ha (250 acres) of lands include pleasure grounds, gardens, pastures and farmlands and so comprise one of the county's finest country estates.

Mansion House, approximately 2,150 sq. m. (23,142 sq. ft.) 4-bedroom guest wing, 2 bedroom staff apartment, 4 guest lodges

SPECIAL FEATURES
Approx. 101 Hectares (250 Acres) Country Estate with lands laid out in grazing paddocks and woodlands in the Boyne Valley

Walled garden, specimen trees, pleasure grounds, formal gardens and secluded walking trails

Historic 18th Century Georgian Mansion designed in the Palladian style by a team of
architects including Richard Castle, architect of Leinster House

Beautiful and elegant original features throughout, with ideally proportioned reception and entertainment rooms

Full stables, stud farm and horse sport facilities Additional farmyards and coach houses and outbuildings

Excellent lands, ideally maintained and suitable for grazing, sporting pursuits or tillage

Eleven bedrooms in the central main house, four-bedroom guest wing, and two-bedroom staff apartment

Historic church and four additional lodges on site, including two apartments

Located just 5km from Navan

Approx 56km from Dublin International Airport

Approx 12km from Ballyboy Private Airfield

Excellent road network throughout the lands, including tunnels linking farmyards

Lands very well laid out with excellent secure fencing

Heritage award winning restoration of the Main Residence

ARDBRACCAN HOUSE
Ardbraccan House joins Castletown and Carton as one of Ireland's most significant Palladian mansions, taking its design from the hey days of classical Georgian Architecture. Contributed to by many of Europe's most significant architects and designers, craftspeople and creators, it has been refurbished to award-winning standards. The principal mansion sits at the heart of lands that have been equally well designed, tended and restored over the centuries.

A significant two storey over basement centrepiece is flanked by curved linking enfilades leading to a pair of symmetrical guest wings, one of which also houses a set of palatial stables. Reached via a sweeping set of stone steps, Ardbraccan preserves the symmetry so loved by the Georgians by means of a rare and beautiful barrel-vaulted hall, leading through to the wider Great Hall beyond. This feature allows the principal Dining and Drawing rooms three windows apiece, with lavish views across the estate parklands. Both of these gracious rooms have particularly fine neo-Classical plasterwork.

The Great Hall has a William Chambers chimney piece, elegant plasterwork and French windows to the garden terrace. It leads to the Library and Study. Adjacent to this, the main Stair Hall has plasterwork to designs by James Wyatt, who also worked on Slane Castle. Also at this level are a servery / kitchen, a pair of cloakrooms and a second staircase.

At garden level there is a larger kitchen / breakfast room, gym, laundry room, playroom, pantry, stores, brickfloored beer cellar and wine cellar. The vaulted, country-style garden level kitchen is a particularly beautiful room. Light-filled it has an Aga, granite worktops, wooden-topped island unit, York flagstone floor, and solid timber cabinetry.

Upstairs are four generous bedroom suites, and two further bedrooms, and on the second floor, you will find a further five bedroom suites. All are beautifully proportioned with views across the gardens and parklands. A kitchenette on the top floor is a wise convenience for both nightcaps and morning coffees.

The two adjoining wings have been beautifully refurbished. To the left is a semi-separate wing with a kitchen, breakfast area, dining area, staff room and laundry room, with one bedroom at ground level, and three generous bedrooms above. To the right, the ground floor houses stables, a tack room and boot room, while above is a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a loft.

Guest and staff accommodation throughout the estate is also provided in four lodges altogether. At the main entrance, the Main Gate Lodge offers a one-bedroom residence, providing an elegant and welcoming setting as you enter the estate. At the rear entrance, the Kells Gate Lodge features two bedrooms, along with its own private parking area and garden, ensuring privacy. Built in the late 1990s, this lodge was designed in a traditional period style to blend with the aesthetic of the estate.

Additionally, at the entrance to St. Ultan's Church, which has been de-consecrated in recent years, stand two beautifully refurbished cottages: The School House and Sexton's Cottage. Both of these lodges feature two bedrooms and have been meticulously restored, including the refurbishment of original sash windows, and are finished to an very high standard throughout.

RESTORING ARDBRACCAN, A PROJECT OF PASSION
While the house and lands at Ardbraccan feel timeless, history marches on, and estates such as this thrive on the care of each succeeding generation. After lying vacant towards the end of the last century, previous owners lavished their attention on a painstaking restoration project. Working to conservation standards, specialist craftspeople used and revived traditional methods to bring the woodwork, plasterwork, stonework, roofs and windows back to their former glory.

Where replacements were necessary, items were sourced and salvaged from sister properties in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Chimney pots were re-cast to match the originals, and the roofs were restored using the original slates, copper and leadwork. Specialist painters, stoneworkers and stuccadores congregated, some to apply and pass on their skills, and others to perfect their craft with the masters. Glass was handblown, and work extended right through to the inlay details in mother of pearl, as well as brass, pewter, marble and papier mache. At the same time, services were brought up to twenty first century standards.

The project was renowned in Ireland, and in 2002 Ardbraccan was accoladed with An Taisce's BestRestoration of a Private Building award. More recently, Ardbraccan's owners have continued this legacy by restoring one of the wings, upgrading the behind-the-scenes services, sensitively revitalising the interiors, and refurbishing some of the lodges.

LANDS AT ARDBRACCAN
With approximately 101 Hectares (250 Acres) of excellent land, the immediate gardens at Ardbraccan are thought to have been originally designed by Ninian Nevin, who also designed the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin, and those at the home of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin.

Notable in the immediate vicinity of the main house are pleasure gardens with paths leading to informal gardens, shrubberies, small conservatories and a brick-lined walled garden. This was restored with the expertise of Daphne Shackleton, whose portfolio also includes gardens at Slane Castle, Virginia Park, the historic gardens at Loughcrew, and restorations at Ballintubbert and Baronscourt. These gardens speak of history and time: one Yew tree on the property is thought to be more than 500 years old.

Stands of mature trees shelter the house and provide privacy, while opening up to reveal unspoilt views. The pastures and woodlands are separated by a pair of ha-has, adding to the sense of expansiveness. Beyond these are
stud-railed paddocks and pastures. The parklands were extensively drained, fenced and replanted with specimen trees in the early 2000s, and the care has been on-going since then.

Extensive yard and farm buildings include Palladian style yards, with stables, coach houses, a restored clock tower, lofted hay stores, a timber-panelled tack room, and horse walker. Two of these yards are linked by an underground tunnel. Further farm buildings are south, beyond a private sunken garden. These include a walled orchard, bell tower, grain lofts and a dovecote. A more-modern farmyard is screened within a former walled garden. There is also an historic church, now deconsecrated, on site.

The estate is set within a single block, with the exclusion of a minor public road beyond the immediate core. Offering unparalleled privacy, and huge opportunity, the estate and lands at Ardbraccan give extraordinary scope for country and sporting pursuits, equestrian enterprises and farming. They also comprise an idyllic retreat in The Royal County, in a welcoming community, within easy reach of Ireland's capital, and Dublin Airport, connecting you to the world, just half an hour away.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

Services and Features
The property is serviced by mains electricity, oil fired central heating, well water and drainage is to septic tanks within the grounds.

Tenure and Possession
The property is offered for sale freehold by private treaty with vacant possession being given at the closing of the sale.

Local Authority & Protected Status
Record of Protected Structures within World Heritage site Meath County Council Area
MH024- 109 - Ardbraccan House- Detached double-pile seven-bay two-storey over raised basement central block, built c.1776, flanked by quadrant walls to five-bay two-storey kitchen and stable wings, built c.1735.

Ardbraccan House, Ardbraccan, Navan, County Meath, C15W8C0, Ireland

NEAREST AIRPORTS

Distances are straight line measurements
  • Dublin(International)
    25.7 miles
  • Belfast(International)
    72.5 miles
  • Knock(International)
    86.1 miles
  • Sligo(Local)
    86.7 miles
  • Galway(International)
    93.8 miles
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About Sherry FitzGerald, Country Homes, Farms and Estates

176 Pembroke Road Ballsbridge Dublin D04 EN80

Looking at the company today and thinking back to its’ origins, it’s interesting to see how, in the 30 or so years since its formation, the business has now grown to become Ireland’s largest, fully diversified property advisory firm servicing the residential and commercial property markets. Sherry FitzGerald was founded in 1982 as a result of the amalgamation of 2 companies – FitzGerald & Partners (founded 1972) and Sherry & Sons (founded in 1949). Back in 1982 we had just one residential office on Merrion Row in Dublin 2 with a second office in Terenure not opening until 1989.

Despite the economic difficulties of the 1980’s, the company recruited for the future by forming a team of young property professionals who shared a common vision of a new type of auctioneering company. From the start, we practiced a strong gender balance philosophy, a philosophy we have continued to practice to this day. We understood the absolute prerequisite to have a strong ethical foundation, combined with a sense of unparalleled customer service. That is why, back then, we introduced a non-negotiable rule of not allowing anyone in the company to buy a second-hand house off our own books, coupled with introducing opening 7 days a week into what had traditionally been a ‘9.30 – 5.30 & closed for lunch’ industry. Our strap line in those early days was ‘the new generation of estate agents’ which subsequently evolved into ‘the agent you’d recommend to a friend’.

In 1992 we were the first organisation in the history of the State, outside the Department of the Environment, to provide coherent house price information to the general public and subsequently launched our Dublin house price index in 1996. Today we employ 4 economists and, through all the challenges of the greatest property crash in Europe, we kept our commitment to research and transparent information by not only retaining this function, but by further resourcing it. Our national property index, launched in 1999, is a benchmark in terms of accurate reporting of house price trends. Every 3 months, over the last 15 years, this national index has been published without fear or favour.

In 1998 we opened our first office outside Dublin in Galway. In the same year we launched one of Ireland’s first property websites – www.sherryfitz.ie.

1998 also saw us consolidate our growing commercial presence by forming a joint venture company with the global property advisory firm DTZ Holdings – DTZ Sherry FitzGerald. Today DTZ Sherry FitzGerald is Ireland’s most successful and only nationwide commercial property advisor with offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and an associated office in Belfast.

In 1999 we launched Ireland’s first ever national property franchise organisation. Today there are 66 Sherry FitzGerald franchise offices, providing property advice in every corner of Ireland.

In the same year the Group acquired the Ross McParland New Homes business which was subsequently rebranded Sherry FitzGerald New Homes.

The new century kicked off with the acquisition of Cork’s leading residential estate agency, Burton Crowley O’Flynn, later rebranded Sherry FitzGerald and now occupying a flagship office, housing both our Commercial and Residential business on Lapps Quay in the heart of Cork city.

The year 2000 also saw the launch of Mortgage Insight, later rebranded Sherry FitzGerald Financial Services, providing independent mortgage and financial advice.

In 2000 our Chief Executive, Mark FitzGerald, came up with the idea of launching a national property portal and led the process of putting together the team, the partners and the investors that made it happen, with the subsequent successful launch of MyHome.ie in 2001. MyHome.ie quickly became Ireland’s largest and most innovative property website and, 5 years after its launch, was acquired by the Irish Times.

Meanwhile, DTZ Sherry FitzGerald was growing rapidly. In 2004 the company acquired the niche commercial practice of CS Tierney O’Neill as well as further strengthening the Cork commercial business by acquiring the former Collier Jackson Stops office.

In 2005 Sherry FitzGerald successfully diversified into the U.K. market with the acquisition of the 150 year old, central and West London estate agency of Marsh & Parsons. In the following year, Marsh & Parsons acquired another London estate agency, Vanstons, which was rebranded Marsh & Parsons, and in the subsequent 5 years we grew this network to 14 London offices employing over 200 people. In 2011 we successfully sold the Marsh & Parsons business leaving the business debt free.

The timing of the Marsh & Parsons acquisition also helped to protect the Sherry FitzGerald parent business during the depths of the property crash, enabling us to keep all our own offices open and 200 people directly employed. This made us the largest Irish property business to emerge from the crash.

In 2006 we launched two community initiatives supported by the Sherry FitzGerald Foundation. Firstly, the "Your Home Away From Home" which saw us underwrite the purchase of 5 Fontenoy Street, Phibsboro for Temple Street Children´s Hospital to use as parents’ accommodation for two families 365 days a year. We subsequently arranged two successful 10km Walkathons to raise funds for the project. Secondly, we were instrumental in the establishment of Amawele - a new national charity which now twins 85 schools in Ireland with schools in the Eastern and West Cape of South Africa.

In 2008 we were chosen by Christie’s International Real Estate to be their exclusive affiliate in Ireland. This partnership gives sellers of prestige homes in Ireland access to international markets. Likewise we can also offer the owners of luxury property abroad access to local expertise when they come to sell, via the global Christie’s International Real Estate network.

In 2013, we acquired our two residential franchise offices in Galway and Limerick and opened our first Blackrock office in 2014. Since its foundation in August 1982, the Sherry FitzGerald Group has grown from a small fledgling company in one location to a nationwide, diversified business operating in 88 different locations. Currently we employ 315 people directly in our 22 owned offices across a diversified residential and commercial property business (18 residential, 4 commercial), alongside our franchise business with an additional 69 offices throughout Ireland, separately employing over 200 people. Sherry FitzGerald Group remains an Irish privately owned business and committed to leading the marketplace as we have done over the last 32 years.

Notes

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This is a property advertisement provided and maintained by Sherry FitzGerald, Country Homes, Farms and Estates (reference 138851_CHF230082) and does not constitute property particulars. Whilst we require advertisers to act with best practice and provide accurate information, we can only publish advertisements in good faith and have not verified any claims or statements or inspected any of the properties, locations or opportunities promoted. Rightmove does not own or control and is not responsible for the properties, opportunities, website content, products or services provided or promoted by third parties and makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, completeness, legality, performance or suitability of any of the foregoing. We therefore accept no liability arising from any reliance made by any reader or person to whom this information is made available to. You must perform your own research and seek independent professional advice before making any decision to purchase or invest in overseas property.

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