Live like a president in Mayo

MASSBROOK HOUSE, LOUGH CONN, CO MAYO €1.95m

MASSBROOK House is an attractive Victorian house, standing on 113 acres on the shores of Lough Conn, with Nephin as a majestic backdrop. The grounds feature fine specimen trees and shrubs, and lovely walks.

Massbrook House dates from 1890 and was designed by the eminent Victorian architect Sir Thomas Drew. Drew, who was born in Belfast, was consulting architect for both St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. He was responsible for the design of the Ulster Bank on Dame Street, Rathmines Town Hall, and the Graduates Memorial Building at Trinity College. His most significant work in Belfast was St Anne’s Cathedral, completed in 1899. Latterly, of course, Massbrook is best known as the home of the former President, Mary Robinson.

The main house is approached by a long, tree-lined avenue and has 630sqm of living space, with four reception rooms and five bedrooms, three of which are en suite. The house has a west-facing aspect to the rear and overlooks Lough Conn to the east. Massbrook comes with almost three kilometres of lake frontage and its original boathouse.

The entrance hall features original wood panelling and solid wood floors. On either side of the hall are the drawing room and dining room, each with a feature fireplace with marble surround. The billiard room accommodates a full-sized table, while the study off the drawing room has fine views over the garden.

The kitchen quarters include a cold room and a scullery. The bedroom floor incorporates a library with wall-to-wall shelving, and there is a separate guest/staff apartment to the rear of the house, as well as a large gate lodge. AGENT: Sherry FitzGerald (01) 237 6300