WOODVIEW HOUSE 

A magnificent mid-eighteenth century home standing among stately beeches, chestnuts and limes on a gentle slope overlooking the river Slaney.

Nestled away in a lovely country setting Woodview House is a marvellous rural retreat with a great sense of tranquillity, being protected so handsomely by glorious gardens that include numerous mature shrubs and trees and offer excellent privacy.

Enjoying a south-westerly orientation the rooms are bright and of generous proportions, there being some 436 square metres (4,693 square feet) in the main house with a guest cottage/annexe giving another 92 square metres (990 square feet) or so of accommodation.

Living There

Majestically placed at the head of a gravelled avenue, itself flanked by mature oak, beech and limes this most handsome house enjoys elevated views across the lovely Slaney valley, with glimpses of the river below. Nine graduating granite steps, with iron railings, lead through a solid timber panelled door with overhead Georgian fanlight into a large reception hall and the generous accommodation.

Built around 1755 by the de Rinzy family of nearby Clobemon Hall the house extends over two and three stories over a semi-basement, with the front elevation comprising three-bays and rising up to a granite capped parapet giving a most pleasing approach. Although recently restored the house retains much of its period character and evidence of a rich link to historical events, some charred timbers from a fire during the 1798 rising being uncovered during restoration and much written evidence existing from its incarnation as the Ballingale Poultry Farm and Gardening School for women, which was formed in 1916 and incorporating the walled garden and courtyard buildings, most of which remain intact today.

The front door, surrounded on the inside by elaborate rope and tassel carving, leads into a spacious reception hall which in turn leads to the principal reception rooms and stair hall. The rooms are of pleasing proportions and enjoy good natural light, benefit from sympathetic restoration with many of original features in place but most importantly there is a homely feel running through the house that is most relaxing.

The Setting

Beautifully positioned at the head of a short gravelled avenue there are marvellous views across the Slaney valley to distant hills in Carlow, with a lovely mixed vistas across typically varied farmland in between – a ubiquitous mix of tillage and pastureland predominating in the county. The walls of the original walled garden join the back of the house and create a most private and safely enclosed garden, with a secret courtyard giving a delightful and hidden sun trap. A paddock offers grazing in front of the house and is dotted with many mature trees, wonderfully framing the valley views across the river below.

The annexe:
Situated within the courtyard and opening into the walled garden The Annexe or Granny Flat is most attractive with exposed stone walls and slate roof. Extending to some 92 square meters (990 square feet) over two levels the accommodation comprises: living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

The courtyard:
Neatly presented with re-roofed stables, a freshly gravelled surface and brightly painted doors the courtyard provides ample parking and is easily assessable to the house though the secret courtyard. Aside from the lovely annexe cottage described above there is good stabling in a traditional stone stable block and two other large stores, one extending to approximately 176 square metres and perhaps suitable for conversion into American barn style stabling or other uses such as a workshop or home office etc., obviously all subject to any necessary consents.

Furnishings:
Only those mentioned in these particulars are included in the sale. All others including garden ornaments, statuary and furniture are expressly excluded with the asking price based on their exclusion.