Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow on 169 acres

Mount Kennedy House

KnightFrank.ie

Mount Kennedy House Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow

In all c. 68.39 ha (c. 169 acres)

A magnificent Georgian house of historical and architectural importance surrounded by 169 acres of parkland in a private setting.

One of Irelands most elegant and serviceable Classical Georgian mansions positioned amidst beautiful mature parklands, woodlands, pasture and equestrian facilities in the Garden of Ireland, combining privacy with an enviable convenience only a 40 minute commute to Dublin City and Dublin Airport respectively.

u Reception Hall u Drawing Room

u Dining Room u Study

u Library u 7 bedrooms

u 4 Bathrooms u Dressing Room

u Staff accommodation u Old kitchen and bakery

u Laundry Room u Cellars

u Yard with 6 stables u Lofted grain and machinery stores

u 3 bay garaging u Ice House

u Farmyard with sheep shed and cattle shed

u Stewards House u Porters Lodge

Dublin City 32kms (20 miles) 37 minutes

Dublin Airport 58kms (36 miles) 40 minutes

Greystones 8kms (5 miles) 12 minutes

Rosslare Port 126kms (78 miles) 1 hour 40 minutes

Cork Airport 288kms (179 miles) 3 hours

(Distances are approximate)

01 662 3255Stuart Walker8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4stuart.walker@ie.knightfrank.comwww.knightfrank.ie

Mount Kennedy - History

Mount Kennedy is one Irelands finest Georgian estates of historical and architectural eminence.

In 1590, George Kennedy, a successful Dublin merchant and financier bestowed on his estate of Ballygarvey the name Mount Kennedy.

Subsequent generations of Kennedys added to the estate and in 1670 a manor house was built adjacent to the ruins of an original castle. By the time it eventually passed to a relative, Elizabeth Barker, in 1740, it comprised 10,000 Irish acres.

Barker sold in 1769 to Lieutenant General Robert Cunninghame (later Lord Rossmore of Monaghan, Commander in chief of His Majesties Forces in Ireland) for £19,691 0s 10d.

The initial design of a new house for Cunninghame was drawn up by the celebrated English architect James Wyatt in 1772. Wyatt undertook a number of Irish commissions for the aristocracy of sites he apparently had not seen. Indeed, his only recorded visit to Ireland was in 1785. Owing to financial constraints, construction of the new house only started in 1782 under the supervision of Dublin’s leading builder and architect, Thomas Cooley, who successfully modified Wyatt’s original design. Mount Kennedy was completed in 1785 at a cost of £64,000.

Fortunately, over 50 of Wyatt’s and Cooley’s original drawings for Mount Kennedy survive in the National Library in Dublin. The inscription on one sheet tells one almost all one wants to know. It reads “west elevation of a house designed for Major General Cunninghame intended to be built in Ireland – James Wyatt 4th June 1772”.

On Cunninghame’s death in 1801 his niece Jean Gunn Gordon inherited and the estate passed down through several generations over the next 100 years until the Lands Acts of the late 19th century ensured that the extensive Mount Kennedy Estate was eventually subdivided and sold off to tenants.

In 1938 the remainder estate, some 300 acres, was sold to Mr and Mrs Ernest Hull, thence to Mr Noel Griffin in 1971 and to the present family in 1982.

Today the estate extends to 169 acres in which the Mount Kennedy mansion stands, on a private site towards the centre of the demesne.

Mount Kennedy - Description

Mount Kennedy is a two storey over basement house to a design originally drawn up by James Wyatt in 1772 and modified by the architect and builder Thomas Cooley who completed the commission in 1784/ 1785.

The house is accessed through stone and railed gated entrance via associated gate lodge. The well maintained avenue meanders through mature parkland. In keeping with classical Georgian design, the mansion is protected from view by extensive planting until the final approach over the gravel forecourt, where the pleasing grandeur of the five bay facade is encountered.

The entrance front, facing west, consists of two bays on either side of a single storey Doric portico with a pediment and coupled end columns surmounted by a Diocletian window. The garden front has two bays on either side of a curved bow. Fine ashlar is used for the portico, otherwise all other detailing is in granite whilst the walls are rendered.

The central main hall, with its flagged floor, carved stone fireplace surround and screen of ionic columns, has a small hall off it containing the main staircase of flagged stone with wrought iron balustrades and mahogany handrail identical to that of Caledon in Tyrone (also built by Cooley in 1779). The bays and bow windows, provide excellent natural light and give the house a much larger sense than it really is.

The chief characteristic of Mount Kennedy is the beautiful and delicate interior decoration, incorporating plasterwork by Michael Stapleton who was regarded as being the most skilled stuccodor working in the neo classical style that dominated Dublin interior decoration in the final decades of the 18th century. This breathtaking work in the hall and three main reception rooms is further complemented by the exquisite painted medallions in grisaille by Peter De Gree, a Belgian who came to Ireland in 1785, and whose other works are contained in Lucan House, Luttrellstown Castle and Marlay House.

On the first floor there is an octagonal upper hall (originally designed as a billiard room) lit by a circular domed lantern off which there are four principal bedroom suites and three secondary bedrooms.

The gross area of the house is c.1400 sq mtrs. Wyatt’s original design aspirations are well and truly reflected in Mount Kennedy House as it is still a comfortable and manageable family home.

Outside, the setting is exceptionally pleasing and most picturesque. The grounds immediately surrounding the house are informal and well maintained. The view of the house from the west is over rolling and timbered parklands past the house to the Irish Sea and from the east towards the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains.

The original yard buildings have been reroofed and comprise six stables, two tack rooms, three bay garaging, machinery sheds and substantial lofted grain stores.

Well supply and mains water supply

Reception Rooms / Living and Circulation Areas

Kitchens

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Storage

Floor Plans

Ground floor

Approached by stone steps to double mahogany panelled doors with overhead fan light, leading to the Reception Hall with tiled floor, two windows, screen of ionic columns, fine plasterwork to the ceiling and walls, important carved sandstone fireplace surround.

Dining Room with windows to the east and north. Highly ornate decorative plasterwork incorporating eleven grisailles by Peter De Gree, fine marble fireplace surround. The Drawing Room is an absolutely stunning oval shaped room with fine marble fireplace surround and highly decorative ceiling plasterwork. The bow window faces east. The Study has a barrelled ceiling with exceptionally fine delicate plasterwork and ornate fireplace surround.

The Library with windows to the west and south elevations has decorative cornices and original fitted bookcases, together with a fine timber fireplace surround with georgian inset. The Sitting Room and adjoining Kitchen are two modern rooms which were originally designed to be a bedroom. These rooms have dropped ceilings. We understand that the original decorative ceiling cornices still survive. Off the reception hall is a Cloakroom with marble top vanity unit and sink, cloak cupboard and separate WC. This in turn leads to the secondary staircase and Back Hall opening to the north elevation.

First floor

The First Floor is approached by a grand staircase. At the head of the stairs there are two arches. That on the left leads into a short corridor which in turn opens to a large Octagonal Upper Hall which was originally intended as a billiard room.

Bedroom 1 has a bow window and it leads to a Dressing Room and large Ensuite Bathroom. Bedroom 2 with a southerly aspect leads to an adjoining Bathroom. Bedroom 3 with southerly and westerly aspect shares this bathroom. Bedroom 4 with a wonderful westerly aspect has an Ensuite Bathroom. Bedrooms 5, 6 and 7 together with the Dressing Room have easterly and northerly aspects and are served by a Family Bathroom just off the main landing.

From the secondary staircase there is a Staff Bedroom at landing level and a further two Attic bedrooms or store rooms.

Basement floor

The Basement which is surrounded externally by a moate, is dry with impressive vaulted ceilings. Double doors lead to a wide and long corridor extending almost the entire width of the house. There is the original Kitchen and Bakery with a flagged stone floor. The Office has windows to the south and west elevations. Staff accommodation contains two bedrooms and shower room. There is a fine Laundry/Utility Room, Workshop and Store. The two Wine Cellars incorporate their original bins and brick flooring. Ice Room.

Main yard

The Main Yard comprises the original U-shaped stone buildings which have been recently reroofed and has six stables, two tack rooms, grooms’ room, three double garages and lofted grain and machinery stores.

Farmyard

The Farmyard is to the rear of the main yard and has a cattle shed, sheep shed and lean-to.Stewards House with living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom.Off the yard is a secondary access to Newtownmountkennedy.

Porters Lodge fronting the N11 with living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom.

Lands

The Lands extend to c.68.393Ha (169 acres) of parkland and mature woodland and incorporate three ponds. There is good natural shelter and the land is well fenced and include a grass jumping arena. The pastures are of good heart, free draining and suitable for the grazing of domestic livestock and horses.

For the equestrian enthusiast there are also forest rides beyond the rear gate through Coillte lands.

Important Notice:Knight Frank Ltd for themselves and for the Vendors of this property whose agents they are give notice that:1. Receipt of these particulars implies an obligation to conduct all negotiations through this company only.2. These contents shall not be construed to form the basis of any contract.3. Whilst every care is taken in their preparation, the company will not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracies contained therein.4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by

intending purchasers in inspecting properties, which have been sold, let or withdrawn.

01 662 3255Stuart Walker8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4stuart.walker@ie.knightfrank.comwww.knightfrank.ie

SolicitorMartin Moran, Martin Moran & Company, 12 Stephens Lane, Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2Tel: 01 664 0560 Email: martin.moran@martinmoran.ie ServicesWell water, mains water, septic tank, OFCH.

Fixtures and fittingsWith all those items known as tenant’s fixtures and fittings together with the fitted carpets, curtains, light fittings and garden statuary are specifically excluded from the freehold sale but can be made available by separate negotiation.

DirectionsFrom Dublin take the N11 motorway, continue through Glen of the Downs and take the turn off signposted Newtownmountkennedy and Newcastle. Proceed to the roundabout and take the third exit, go under the motorway to the next roundabout and take the second exit signposted Dublin. Proceed for 600m and the entrance to Mount Kennedy is on the left hand side.

IMPORTANT NOTICE1. Particulars: These particulars are not an offer or contract, nor part of one. You should not rely on statements by Knight Frank in the particulars or by word of mouth or in writing (“information”) as being factually accurate about the property, its condition or its value. Neither Knight Frank nor any joint agent has any authority to make any representations about the property, and accordingly any information given is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents, seller(s) or lessor(s). 2. Photos etc: The photographs show only certain parts of the property as they appeared at the time they were taken. Areas, measurements and distances given are approximate only.

3. Regulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any part of the property does not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations or other consent has been obtained. A buyer or lessee must find out by inspection or in other ways that these matters have been properly dealt with and that all information is correct.

4. VAT: The VAT position relating to the property may change without notice.

Photographs Dated: August 2010Particulars Dated: September 2010

Note To ScaleFor Information purposes only.