THE OLD RECTORY 

Charming Georgian residence tucked away in extensive walled gardens on the edge of the picturesque seaside village of Easkey.

History

Although The Old Rectory dates from 1790, there was known to be a two storey thatched building on the site prior to that. The property became a Glebe House approximately 200 years ago, when it was also a working farm. It was sold by the Church in 1987 and has remained a family home since.

Description

The Old Rectory is a superb Georgian property standing in secluded walled gardens, enjoying the utmost privacy while still having village amenities on the doorstep. The main house is approached through gates in a stone walled entrance along a gravel avenue which curves around to the front of the house and also into the main courtyard, where the two additional coach house buildings are to be found. It has been well maintained over the years and the house comprises a very comfortable family home with spacious accommodation.

All the rooms are graciously proportioned with original Georgian features such as corniced ceilings with centre roses, recessed wood framed windows with shutters, large, panelled wood doors with panelled surrounds and lime and pine decorative wall panelling in the breakfast room.

The main house which sits in the middle of its 1.7 acres is surrounded by the other buildings, courtyards and gardens. To the rear of the house, a small sun-trap courtyard leads into the main yard. The additional stone buildings are situated very attractively around this yard, and comprise a converted coach house and another large building, half of which contains a small apartment, workshop and storage areas. The walls of the house and courtyards are covered with roses, wisteria, Virginia creeper and other plants. The gardens separate into three areas, which run around the boundary: a colourful flower garden with mature trees; a formal vegetable garden and a young orchard.

Amenities

The Old Rectory benefits from having all the amenities of Easkey, an attractive coastal village, on its doorstep. Easkey’s natural scenery is one of its primary attractions and its salmon rich river and the powerful Atlantic Ocean provide natural amenities and recreational pursuits to both residents and visitors alike.

There is superb salmon and trout fishing in the Easkey River, which runs through the village. For keen golfers, the championship links course at Enniscrone is only 7 miles away. Easkey is also internationally renowned for its surfing and is the home of the Irish Surfing Association.

The village supplies everyday shopping needs and also has a Post Office and Health Centre, while further afield is the city of Sligo and the town of Ballina. Local primary schools include Owenbeg, Rathlee, Dromore West, Killeenduff and Leaffoney C of I School. There are excellent secondary schools in the area, including the renowned Sligo Grammar School, St. Muredach’s boys’ school in Ballina, the Jesus & Mary Convent in Enniscrone and Ballysadare Convent.

Main House Accommodation

Ground Floor:

Entrance Hall (3.8m x 2.0m): Carpeted floor, part wood panelled walls, ceiling coving, door to shower room, decorative window, large wood door with glass panelling leading into inner hall.

Shower Room (1.13m x 3.94m): Tiled floor, wc, whb, power shower with tiled surround, recessed sash window.

Inner Hall (5.31m x 2.29m): Carpeted floor, corniced ceiling with centre rose, original wood staircase.

Library (3.9m x 5.0m): Original wooden floor, corniced high ceiling with centre rose, recessed sash window with double shutter, black faux marbre fire place with tiled inset, (tiles by Michael Kennedy) built in bookcases, second door to drawing room.

Drawing Room (6.39m x 4.65m): Carpeted floor, corniced high ceiling with centre piece, two recessed sash windows with shutters, decorative wood fireplace with brick inset.

Back Hall: Under stairs storage, window. Alcove with built-in dresser.

Boiler Room (3.2m x 2.1m): Shelving, window.

Breakfast Room/Dining Room (4.7m x 3.7m): Stone flagged floor with feature tiling, lime & pine wall panelling with decorative linen inset, further pine panelling, all originally from a church building. Recessed sash window and arch leading to kitchen.

Kitchen (4.7m x 1.7m): Sink, built in units and shelving, part tiled walls, casement window.

Back Kitchen (2.8m x 2.15m): Tiled floor, ‘Belfast’ sink, shelving, door to exterior courtyard, also door to:-

Pantry (2.0m x 2.12m): Large shelved alcove, additional built in shelving, window.

First Floor:

Staircase with large midway casement window with shutters and window seat.

Bedroom 1 (4.8m x 3.9m): Carpeted floors, high ceiling, recessed sash window with shutters, cast iron decorative fireplace, hot press.

Bedroom 2 (3.5m x 4.7m): Carpeted floor, high ceiling, built in wardrobes, recessed sash window with shutters and cast iron decorative fireplace.

Bedroom 3 (2.8m x 4.2m, max measurement): Carpeted floor, high ceiling, recessed sash window with shutters, wooden mantle piece with cast iron decorative fireplace and built in wardrobe.

Bathroom (2.4m x 2.0m): Carpeted floor, wc with high cistern, whb, bath, recessed sash windows with shutters.

Separate Bedroom Suite On First Floor Return

Hall (2.82m x 1.57m): Recessed sash window.

Master Bedroom (4.9m x 4.1m): Carpeted floor, corniced ceiling with centre rose, recessed sash window, black marble fireplace, door to dressing room.

Dressing Room (1.7m x 3.1m): Shelved with hanging space, casement window.

Bathroom (1.7 m 3.8m): Carpeted floor, bath, hot press, whb, recessed sash window.

WC (0.87m x 1.629m): Window.

Courtyard:
Sun-trap courtyard with original high stone walls, flagstones, roses, arches to yard and gated archway leading to front drive.

Coach House 1 Accommodation

Ground Floor:

The Coach House has exposed lime washed walls with dry bright and airy accommodation and solid concrete floors.

Hall (4.2m x 4.3m): Double French doors leading to main courtyard, stained glass fanlight, cast iron fireplace, doors to bathroom, utility room and sitting room, and pine stairs leading to first floor.

Bathroom (1.5m x 3.4m): wc, whb, sash window, large shower with ‘Mira’ fittings and tiled surround.

Utility (2.4m x 2.7m): Two Belfast sinks, built in pine cupboards, plumbing for washing machine, window.

Sitting Room (4.6m x 4.3m): Fireplace (no surround), built in corner cupboard, original vent windows, casement window, half door into courtyard.

Kitchen (4.7m x 4.3m): Part stone effect floor, part tiled, pine work surface, pine shelving, built in cupboards, windows over looking courtyard and garden, skylight, beamed ceiling, plumbed for dishwasher, dark red oil-fired Stanley range/boiler.

First Floor:

Room (1 5m x 4.3m): Wood floor, hot press, three casement windows.

Landing: Horseshoe shaped window with stained glass.

Bathroom (3.2m x 1.9m): Wc, whb, built in cupboards and sink, casement window.

Room 2 (3.23m x 4.3m): Wood floor, window, two casement windows, door to exterior stone steps.

Attached Car Port and Tool Shed.

Coach House 2 Accommodation

Ground Floor:

Workshop (4.5m x 3.3m): Work benches, stainless steel sink unit, double doors, water heater, window.
Store Room (3.14m x 4.396m): Window.

First Floor:

Approached by exterior stone steps. The accommodation does adjoin further buildings and could be extended into a large dwelling.

Living Room (5.219m x 1.995m): Two windows.
Bedroom 1 (3.2m x 2.2m): Carpeted floor, built-in shelves, window.
Bedroom 2 (2.2m x 3.4m): Carpeted floor, built-in shelves, window
Separate wc and wbh.

Coach House 3 (6.3m x 4.3m):

Approached through the inner courtyard, double height room, entrance to small walled paddock. Fuel shed.

Gardens

The grounds around the property are walled and are made up of various different gardens. There is a formal vegetable garden with easily maintained raised beds, gravel paths and a central stone edged pond, all enclosed by a high stone wall, escallonia and fuchsia hedges. It contains asparagus, artichokes, raspberries, strawberries and currants as well as annually grown vegetables and flowers. Beside this is the flower garden, which is also walled on one side, and enclosed with hedges. It hosts an array of spring bulbs, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, roses and other specimens, including a large Bramley apple tree.

There is a lawn, a cobbled path and a beautiful view towards the Church. A garden gate leads into the grounds which surround the main house. These are largely laid to lawn, with bulbs, shrubs and many mature trees including elm, sycamore, beech, lime, horse chestnut, flowering cherry and cabbage palms. The gardens are sheltered, not overlooked and contain many lovely seating areas. On the left hand side of the property is a small walled paddock, and to the front of the house is a young orchard containing apples, pears, plums, nectarines and greengages.