Just what the doctor ordered
ROSBERCON, on the opposite bank of the Barrow River from New Ross, Co Wexford, is more or else a suburb of its larger neighbour today. But it used to be an independent village — and a Co Kilkenny village at that.
It had its own constabulary, its own church and its own hospital. Later it even had its own railway station on the New Ross branch line to Waterford, and locals remember day trips to Tramore during the summer holidays.
Some remnants of the village’s past remain, including Rosbercon Castle and some fine, early 20th-century houses along School House Road.
Among these is Arlington House, built in the first decades of the 20th century. It’s a former doctor’s surgery and has that august old-town atmosphere about it that doctors’ and lawyers’ premises so often have.
The house is side-on to the road, surrounded by mature trees and lawns, with views towards the Barrow and New Ross to the east.
It’s also a substantial house, at 3,014 sq ft, and it’s suitably grand inside though needing some refurbishment.
The ground floor has three reception rooms and a kitchen arranged symmetrically around the entrance hall.
There’s a sitting room with a bay window and a marble fireplace, a living room, and a formal dining room with a brick fireplace and another bay window.
The kitchen has an oil-fired Aga and there’s a utility room and guest toilet off it.
The first floor has four bedrooms and a bathroom, while the former doctor’s surgery and office are at garden level, so the house might be used for professional purposes again. Alternatively there’s outline planning permission for another property on the site.
The agent is Kehoe Auctioneers in Wexford (053) 914 4393 and the asking price is €285,000.