Bonnettstown House
Bonnettstown, Co. Kilkenny
BER Exempt
Bonnettstown House, Bonnettstown, Co. Kilkenny
An EARly 18th CEntuRy limEstonE mAnoR housE, Built in 1737 By sAmuEl mAtthEws.
A two stoREy ovER BAsEmEnt REsidEnCE sEt on somE 28 ACREs of splEndid wAllEd
gARdEns, gRAzing fiElds, tREE linEd AvEnuE And CoACh yARd. AN impREssivE stonE
EntRAnCE takes you to BonnEttstown housE, WITH MATURE TREES GIVING muCh
pRivACy. LimEstonE stEps lead to thE fRont dooR of this imposing REsidEnCE.
850 sq m / 9,149 sq ft (approx.)
For Sale by Private Treaty
BER Exempt
The entrance hallway is a room in itself, due to its size and impressive staircase to the first floor. To the
right of the entrance hall is the dual aspect dining room with a large limestone fireplace. The kitchen is
located just off the dining room with views of the wonderful walled garden. To the left of the entrance
hallway is a study which overlooks the front of the house and avenue. The drawing room is also located
off the entrance hallway behind the study, and is a peaceful room with an open fire, overlooking the
splendid walled garden.
The impressive staircase leads to a return with a large original window looking onto the superb
garden. On the first floor, there are four double bedrooms with the master bedroom enjoying an
ample dressing room (which was originally a bedroom). There are two ensuite bedrooms and a main
bathroom. The attic is fully floored with head room to walk freely around all the storage rooms.
There are two staircases, one main staircase and a second serving staircase which was originally used by
the staff of the house. The second staircase leads to the basement where a further bedroom is located
(bedroom 5), ensuite, games room, study, office, wine cellar, boot room and storage room.
outside
Impressive original double cast iron gates lead to a wonderful coach yard which contains three stables,
three coach houses and numerous storage buildings. The coach yard itself is original cobblestone. A
door leads from the basement of the house to the coach yard. The “Daffodil Field” leads off the coach
yard with a double bank surrounding its boundary which lends itself as a path and walkway around the
field. There are two other fields for grazing – one behind the garden and the other to the side of the
garden. There is some 14 acres of grassland, 7 acres of woodland and some a further 7 acres with the
house, avenue, coach house and garden.
WALLED GARDEN
The walled garden is an extremely striking feature of this marvellous property. A stunning garden,
with a unique position of a lake and the remains of an 11th century castle. This beautiful and peaceful
garden has been lovingly cared for by the current owners and is an oasis of tranquillity and beauty. A
pathway runs around the boundary of the garden, bounded by a well-manicured lawn. The garden is
divided into manageable sections and beds. A lovely feature of the lake is a bridge which leads you
across to the island.
HISTORY
The land on which Bonnettstown House (Hall) stands has belonged to the ancient Irish family of
O’Shee, the Earl of Ormonde. In Burke’s guide to Country houses in Ireland it is described as “one
of the most perfect medium-sized early 18th century country houses in Ireland”. Built in 1737 for
Samuel Matthews, Mayor of Kilkenny, whose name and the date of 17th May 1737 are inscribed on
quoins at either side of the entrance front, the property has been enjoyed by just three owners since
1737. The remains of an 11th century castle are found in the garden of Bonnettstown House and is
one of the original castles of Kilkenny. The second owner of Bonnettstown was Commander Geoffrey
Marescaux de Saubrait. Local history has it that a Russian princess, Madame Lubov Glebov lived in
the attic during this time. The current owners purchased the property in 1982 where they brought up
their family in this wonderful house, garden and setting. Well known American photographer Andrew
Bush completed his PhD on Bonnettstown House and published a book showcasing the property
between 1979 and 1982, during his visits to the property.
location
Bonnettstown has the perfect balance of a charming mature setting in the countryside but less than ten minute
drive to the medieval town of Kilkenny. A 15 minute drive takes you to the M9 motorway which services
Dublin to Waterford.
Kilkenny City
Kilkenny is a well-preserved medieval town and is dominated by both Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s
Cathedral and Round Tower. Kilkenny Castle and some important historical architecture of the medieval city
survive, like parts of the Kilkenny City Walls. They define the extent, layout and status of the medieval town.
The town grew from a monastic settlement to a thriving Norman merchant town in the Middle Ages. Also,
well known as a cultural city with craft and design workshops, the Watergate Theatre, the yearly “Cat Laughs”
comedy festival, public gardens and museums. Every Thursday morning there is a buzzing farmers market at
the castle with a wide range of produce available. Kilkenny has all you would expect from a small compact city
with a cinema, shopping centres and many restaurants to choose from, all within a ten-minute walk.
Schools
Kilkenny is the home of many noted secondary schools, including the Church of Ireland Kilkenny College,
founded in 1538. This is one of the oldest schools in the country, and its past pupils include Jonathan Swift and
George Berkeley.
Airports, Roads and Cities
Kilkenny Airport is only used for private flying. The nearest airport with scheduled services is Waterford
Airport, 60 km away. A more substantial range of destinations is available from Dublin Airport 135km,
Shannon Airport 159km and Cork Airport 164km. Dublin City is 117 km and the nearest city of Waterford
is 48 km to the north. Wexford is 80 km to the south-east and Limerick is 122 km to the west. The M9
motorway, which links Dublin to Waterford, is just 8km from Bonnettstown House.
Kilkenny Train station
Kilkenny Train Station at McDonagh Junction is on the Dublin to Waterford line with regular daily trains to
and from Dublin and Waterford.
Sports
A wide range of sports clubs and activities are widely available. An athletics club, numerous GAA clubs, rugby
clubs, football clubs. The golf enthusiast is well catered for with Kilkenny Golf Club and Mount Juliet Golf
Course in Thomastown which was designed by Jack Nicklaus and it is considered to be one of Ireland’s best
courses. Equestrian activities are also well catered for with riding schools and clubs, pony clubs and hunting all
within boxing distance.
services
Oil fired central heating
Septic tank
Mains water
Floor plans
Basement
Ground Floor
First Floor
Attic
Joint Selling Agents
Roseanne De Vere Hunt
Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Farms and Estates
164 Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
T: +353 (0)1 639 9300
E: [email protected]
Andy O’Keeffe
O’Keeffe Auctioneers
13 John Street
Kilkenny
T: +353 (0)56 7763963
E: [email protected]
www.sherryfitz.ie
www. okeeffeauctioneers.ie
A full copy of our general brochure conditions can be viewed on our website at http://www.sherryfitz.ie/terms, or can be requested from your local Sherry FitzGerald office. We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with these general conditions. Sherry FitzGerald
PSRA Registration No: 002183 & 002758