Description
A magnificent agricultural and sporting estate with the impressive Fortwilliam House dated 1836 commanding a spectacular position overlooking the River Blackwater.
For sale freehold by private treaty as a whole or in lots as described:
Lot 1: Fortwilliam House with 117.00 Hectares (289.12 Acres) Asking Price: 10,000,000
Lot 2: Agricultural Lands comprising 41.01 Hectares (101.33 Acres) Asking Price: 2,000,000
The Entire: 158.01 Hectares (390.45 Acres) Asking Price: 12,000,000
The Fortwilliam Estate is rightly considered one of the jewels of the Blackwater valley. Discreetly situated on rising ground above the sparkling river, running through lush inch fields, it commands a spectacular position overlooking the valley with panoramic far-reaching views to the Knockmealdown mountains on the Tipperary borders. Set in landscaped grounds, the house is approached via a mile-long tree lined drive which opens out into ancient parkland with many majestic trees before sweeping along the dramatic valley edge to reach the house.
Fortwilliam House is a wonderful family home full of light and life laid out on two floors over a basement and extending to some 11,937 sq. ft. of floor area. Replete with most of its original features and fabric, an extensive and sympathetic programme of renovation and refurbishment has taken place over the last 25 years. The generous, well-proportioned accommodation includes four exceptional reception rooms, a spectacular double height grand staircase hall with six bedrooms and four bathrooms to the first floor. The lower ground floor includes estate office, billiard room, rod room and wine cellar. The Fisherman`s Cottage, situated in the west wing, offers four further bedrooms and three bathrooms and may be incorporated into the house if required.
The charming period stable yard off the main drive includes two cottages whilst the coaching yard includes the recently converted coach house cottage, overlooking the walled garden and valley beyond. The prime lands extend to approx. 117 hectares / 289.12 acres and are currently in grassland with a small area of mature woods along the gradients between the upper and lower fields.
HISTORY
Fortwilliam House is a wonderfully unique property built in the Tudor Revival style in local high quality veined sandstone with sash windows, striking gables, pinnacles and chimney stacks. Surrounded by almost 400 acres of rolling pasture and woodland, the impressive house enjoys the utmost privacy and tranquillity with much atmosphere and a colourful history going back several centuries. The Gumbleton family first acquired these lands in the early 18th Century and Richard Gumbleton sited the first house to the west, on the site of an old castle, naming it Castlerichard after himself (now Glencairn Abbey). After a further three generations, in the 19th Century William Gumbleton built a further house on the lands and named it Fortwilliam, once again after himself. A nephew, John Gumbleton on inheriting demolished and rebuilt the house in 1836 to the design of the renowned Pain brothers of Cork, also responsible for Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle and Strancally Castle. Fortwilliam passed from the Gumbleton family around 1932 but was repurchased by them in around 1944, selling again in 1946 to Hugh Grosvenor, second Duke of Westminster for a reputed £10,000 to include the pedigree Hereford herd. At the time one of world`s richest men, the duke added various features including the panelling to the dining room which is said to have come from his yacht and the gilded Louis XV-style boiseries in the drawing room. In later years the estate was owned by Henry Drummond Wolfe (MP) and American socialite Mrs Murray Mitchell who ran a donkey sanctuary here in the 1990s. The house was leased in the years between 18871925 when Adele Astaire, the sister of Fred, lived here. She married Lord Charles Cavendish, son of the ninth Duke of Devonshire owners of neighbouring Lismore Castle Estate.
FORTWILLIAM FARM
The farmyard is located adjacent behind the stable yard but accessed separately from the main drive. The yard comprises of a fine traditional lofted stone range, used for storage, and ideally suited for a new use, subject to the necessary consents. There is also a range of extensive modern steel portal framed buildings for livestock, machinery, and fodder storage. The farmlands are currently all in grass with electric fencing and private water supply laid on to all fields. Much of the farm is also suitable for tillage. There is excellent access to the lands provided by internal farm tracks and an alternative drive. The upper and lower fields are separated by old broadleaf woods, set on the gradient and which have been supplemented by further planting in recent years. There are entitlement grants with the property.
LOT 2
Lot 2 comprises a block of prime agricultural land extending to approx. 41 hectares / 101 acres with minimal wastage, situated on the eastern boundary of Fortwilliam and with its own access off the public road. Currently in grass, the lands are equally suitable for tillage.
FORTWILLIAM FISHERY
The Munster Blackwater flows mainly from west to east for over 100 miles across the province and is considered to be one of the finest salmon rivers in the country. The renowned Fortwilliam Fishery enjoys the private and tranquil surroundings of the estate and provides a beautiful environment for the enjoyment of those wishing to fish. It has been well maintained over the years and offers some 2.20 km of double bank salmon, sea trout and trout fishing on the Ellis and Bishops beats.
The Ellis beat is the home beat with fast flowing water, a comfortable hut, boat and easy access from the house. The Bishops beat offers a great variety of fishing spots from both banks, new hut and lunch spot. There are 2 boats with the fishery and a track runs down from the house and along the length of the home beat to the fishing hut. There is also a separate trout casting pond.
LOCATION
Fortwilliam is situated close to Lismore, one of Ireland`s most beautiful heritage towns, scenically located on the river Blackwater and at the foot of the Knockmealdown mountains. The property is well placed for access to Cork with its International Airport together with Dungarvan and Waterford. Waterford Airport is currently being upgraded and will resume commercial flights on completion of these works. The spectacular Lismore Castle, dramatically set on a cliff overhanging the river, is the Irish seat of the Duke of Devonshire whilst the town is home to St Carthage`s Cathedral and a history going back to the 7th century. Its architecture and heritage has been inspired by numerous luminaries that resided here. The town has a cathedral and church, two primary schools and a post primary community school. It has a range of shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants and lies within easy reach of Cork city and International Airport. The town hosts arts and cultural events throughout the year including the annual Lismore Opera Festival centred around Lismore Castle.
Leisure and sporting facilities abound, to include superb fishing to the Blackwater and its tributaries, cricket and golf clubs in the town and a further three golf courses located at Dungarvan. The scenic neighbouring hills and mountains provide for wonderful walking whilst the sandy beaches of west Waterford are within 30 minutes` drive.
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