Mount Kennedy House positioned amidst beautiful equestrian facilities, mature parklands and woodlands, known as the Garden of Ireland, is one of the country’s most elegant and well-preserved classical Georgian mansions.
Completed in 1785, the chief characteristic of Mount Kennedy House is its beautiful and delicate interior design, incorporating breathtaking plasterwork and exquisite painted medallions in grisaille.
A collection of lavish art and antiques from the house will be auctioned in London by Christie’s on the 16th March. Highlights include: an Irish Georgian mahogany side table, £30,000-£50,000 (€35,000–€59,000); a painting, Venus and Cupid in a Wooded Landscape, by 18th-century artist Henry Tresham, £20,000-£30,000 (€24,000–€35,000); and an Irish 19th-century ormolu hexagonal hall lantern £7,000–£10,000 (€8,250–€12,000).
“This Georgian Estate offers an incredible opportunity to own a significant part of Ireland’s architectural history. Internally and externally the mansion has an exceptional abundance of architectural features and the estate’s grounds offer enough land and mature trees to provide true privacy” says Tancred Lidbury – Associate Director for Europe at Christie’s International Real Estate.
An imposing five-bay façade is a visitor’s first impression of the house, which opens through double mahogany front doors to an impressive tiled entry hall with a screen of Ionic columns and a carved sandstone fireplace surround.
More than 15,000 square feet of beautiful living areas display some truly arresting touches. Among them are a dining room with a marble fireplace, a stunning oval-shaped drawing room with a marble fireplace, a study with a barrelled ceiling and a fireplace, and a library claiming original fitted bookcases. Converted from an original bedroom, the kitchen and adjacent sitting room have been updated with modern finishes and appliances.
The upper level of the estate is reached by a grand staircase where a gorgeous octagonal upper hall can be found, as well as seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. With a bow window, its own dressing room and en suite bath, the master bedroom is truly baronial in nature. Mezzanine and attic levels off the secondary staircase provide a staff bedroom and two additional rooms that could be used as private quarters or storage. The basement is host to dual wine cellars, the original kitchen and bakery with flagged floors, laundry facilities, an office, and a workshop, as well as extra staff rooms.
In keeping with classical Georgian design, the mansion is protected from view by extensive plantings until the final approach over a gravel forecourt. Spanning 169 acres, the grounds at Mount Kennedy include a number of outbuildings, among these are the main yard’s original U-shaped stone buildings that have recently been re-roofed offering six stables, a grooms’ room, three double garages, and lofted grain and machinery stores. A grass jumping arena, well-drained grazing pastures, and plenty of natural shelter make this an ideal as a horse-riding property with a number of forested trails beyond its rear gate. In addition the estate is located only 40 minutes from Dublin City and Dublin Airport respectively, providing great convenience to its access.
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