Presidential retreat Jim O’Brien
Former head of state Mary Robinson’s home on the market for €1.95m, writes
cess points to the public road. After a tour of the woodlands and grazing areas, we arrive at Massbrook House.
Set on an elevated sight, it is surrounded by woodland and has fine views of the lake. The mature gardens include tennis courts located close to the shore.
The house dates from 1890 when it was designed by Sir Thomas Drew, consulting architect for St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church in Dublin and St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, completed in 1899.
Looking out over Lough Conn, the residence is spacious and elegant without being imposing. The accommodation consists of large spaces with wooden floors and wooden panelling.
The drawing room to the left of the reception hall is centred around a marble fireplace set in an arched recess giving the impression of an enormous fireplace, the kind typically found in mediaeval banqueting halls.
This room is large but comfortable and designed to catch the light throughout the day. Off the drawing room is a study with windows looking out on to the gardens.
The dining room is found to the right of the hall. This is a fine room with a marble fireplace and lovely views over the lake.
Adjacent to the dining room is the modest but fully fitted kitchen beside which is a cold room and a scullery. To the rear of the hall is a traditional, classic billiard room with panelled walls and a full-size billiard table.
Spacious
Upstairs are five bedrooms of which three are ensuite. The main bedrooms are spacious and comfortable and command the best views of the lake. This floor is also home to the library with wall-to-ceiling shelving, a beautiful room. In fact, the entire house has the feel, texture and atmosphere of a library, there are books everywhere and anyone with a love of reading and literature could stay here forever.
Immediately outside and to the rear of the house is a guest apartment with a sitting room, bedroom and bathroom.
Beside this is the boiler house with a state-of-the-art wood pellet boiler providing clean and efficient heating for the house.
Located on the grounds near the house is a set of magnificent garages and storage spaces with roll-up doors.
The previous owner had one of the largest classic car collections in Europe, which he housed here at Massbrook.
He was also a helicopter enthusiast and among an assortment of sheds and buildings throughout the estate is a disused helicopter hangar, while a substantial boathouse is situated on the lakefront.
Massbrook House is a fine residential holding with the makings of a wonderful tourism project given the location and natural amenities.
For sale by private treaty with Sherry FitzGerald, the guide price is €1.95m.