Salmon fishing in Kilkenny
THE BOAT HOUSE, INISTIOGE, CO KILKENNY €800,000
Granny might not mind giving up her own house if it means that she gets to live in this contemporary architect-designed home on the banks of the River Nore. And if granny is partial to a bit of fishing then so much the better, because the largest salmon caught in Ireland in the past 20 years — a whopping 32 pounder — was landed in one of the Nore’s famous salmon pools just upstream.
The Boat House is approached via the gates of Woodstock Desmesne, past the ruined house and its magnificent gardens. It stands on its own one-acre site, and was designed to take maximum advantage of its setting and views. It is located in the Tighe Estate, in a “Landscape Conservation Area”, with a splendid stand of beech, oak, ash, laurel and pine on the far side of the river. The location is a 3km drive or 20-minute river walk from the village of Inistioge.
The double height entrance hall is dominated by a Rocco Borghese chandelier, and there is a sweeping staircase up to the first floor. At ground floor level, there are a living room, dining room and kitchen with picture windows and sliding doors leading out to the teak-decked balcony that overlooks the river and surrounding countryside, and a wildlife population of swans, otters, hares, pine martens, swallows and kingfishers. The hand-crafted kitchen in walnut was designed and made specifically for the house and there’s a separate utility room. Also at ground floor level is a bedroom — or home office — with ensuite shower room and dressing room.
At first floor level there are two double bedrooms, both en-suite. The master bedroom has a corner window that takes in the gorgeous views. On the return is a further room which could be used as a small bedroom or an office. The ground floor of the return offers separate accommodation for granny with a spacious living area that has two double French doors with direct access to the river. There is a fully fitted kitchen area, and two spacious bedrooms, both en-suite, one with a Jacuzzi bath.