Parochial House in Castlebridge goes under the hammer
THE HISTORIC parochial house in Castlebridge is going under the hammer at a guide price of €275,000.
The five-bedroom property built in 1846, was the home for many years of well-known cleric Fr Walter Forde, the former parish priest of Castlebridge who sadly died in June of 2015.
His successor as PP, Fr Denis Kelly, also the administrator of Screen- Curracloe, is continuing to live at Ballymore, Screen, leaving the Castlebridge presbytery vacant.
The property, on 2.39 treelined acres, is being sold by Sherry Fitzgerald Haythorntwaite on behalf of the parish of Castlebridge and will be auctioned at its offices in Westgate on Friday, July 8, at midday.
The 2,500sq. ft two- storey house, with three bay windows and a hipped roof with an extension at the rear, is in the centre of Castlebridge village. It has five bedrooms and two reception rooms.
It was built in 1846 on the site of the old church, which had been destroyed around 1798, and for more than 150 years was occupied by a succession of priests up to the time of Fr Forde’s death.
‘ It’s a very grand house with a number of period details which you would hope the new owner would keep. It’s a house for entertaining in. You could have serious parties in it,’ said Adrian Haythorntwaite.
‘ There are two big rooms on either side of a central common area with double doors. The house is surrounded by trees and the property goes down to the old mill race.’
The property has been a parochial house since it was built and this is the first time it has been sold.
‘Like anything of its age, it could do with a bit of love and attention, but couldn’t we all,’ said Adrian.
‘If someone manages to buy it for €300,000 and spends €200,000 on it, they will have one fantastic period home for €500,000.’