Location

Gowran Castle is nestled in the village of Gowran, south-east Kilkenny close to junction 7 of the M9 motorway. Located off the main street of the village, down a sweeping driveway, Gowran Castle is afforded peace and privacy, within a mature setting.

The charming village is a short walk and has a range of shops and services for everyday requirements including a health centre, pubs, church and a number of excellent cafes. Gowran Castle overlooks the magnificent Gowran Park Golf Course and horse racing track. Bennetsbridge is 10km from Gowran Castle and Goresbridge international horse sales venue is just 6km away.

The nearby city of Kilkenny (14km) offers a comprehensive range of services and amenities. Built on the river Nore, Kilkenny is the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. The medieval city offers an abundance of restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, gyms, golf courses, tennis club, swimming pools, professional services and a variety of boutiques and retail stores. Kilkenny Castle is situated in the centre of the city, offering a formal terraced rose garden and parklands open to the public. Kilkenny City is extremely popular amongst tourists due to its rich culture of the arts, music and lifestyle with a broad variety of national attractions, festivals, food and crafts available.

Mount Juliet Estate and Golf Club is only 20 kilometres distant and is a spectacular venue to enjoy afternoon tea, have a walk around its 1500 acres of parkland or dine at one of the many restaurants including the Michelin star, Lady Helen restaurant. For keen golfers, Mount Juliet's Championship Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the finest courses in the country and is host to the 2022 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for the second consecutive year.

County Kilkenny has a proud sporting history and offers a wide variety of sporting and recreational activities. Racing enthusiasts are well catered for with Gowran Park Racecourse 500 metres from the property, Clonmel Racecourse (60km) and The Curragh Racecourse within close proximity. Gowran Park is renowned as one of the most scenic racecourses in the country. It is best known for staging the historic Thyestes Handicap Chase which takes place in mid- January each year. Run over 3 miles it is seen as the Grand National of the South East, and a trial for the Grand Nationals at Fairyhouse and Aintree.

The property sits in a prime location with excellent transport links nearby including the M9 (which connects Kilkenny to Dublin) just 7 kilometres distant. A local bus service running twice daily adjoins Gowran village to Kilkenny City. There are regular bus services from Gowran to Dublin Airport, and train services from Kilkenny and Bagnelstown (10km) to Dublin also.

Gowran National School is 1km from the property while a further selection of primary and secondary schools are located in Kilkenny City.

Description

Gowran Castle
Nestled within the charming village of Gowran, Gowran Castle occupies a commanding, elevated position enjoying far reaching views of the Kilkenny countryside.

The property is entered off the R448 (Gowran Main Street), through an imposing bell-mouthed entrance with limestone piers and cast-iron electric gates. A sweeping driveway, flanked by lime trees, beech and laurel hedging, leads to an open forecourt which reveals Gowran Castle. Gowran Castle is an impressive, three-bay, two storey over raised basement country house, beneath a slate roof with drag edged rusticated limestone ashlar walls and cut-limestone window surrounds situated in the heart of the estate.

The property extends to approximately 7,892 square feet and features three reception rooms, five bedrooms and an extensive garden floor. The principal accommodation is spread over two floors, with the garden floor level housing a billiards room/bar, office, wine cellar, gym, utility room and multiple storage areas. The formal reception rooms and main living spaces are situated on the ground floor, while the bedroom accommodation is located on the first floor. Throughout the property, notable period finishes include sash and case windows with shutters, high ceilings adorned with ceiling roses, cornicing, decorative mantelpieces and architraves.

Limestone steps lead to an impressive portico that houses the solid wood entrance door. This opens to a light filled entrance hall of spectacular grandeur. Fitted with an elegant limestone fireplace and Portland stone and marble flooring, the entrance hall exudes timeless elegance.

The entrance hall is flanked by two bright and airy reception rooms. The sitting room is to the east, featuring shuttered double sash windows that overlook the front of the property. Notable features include a stove set in a marble surround and panelled walls. The drawing room is located on the opposite side of the entrance hall and enjoys similar proportions and features to the sitting room.

The inner hall provides access to the kitchen and dining rooms along with access to the stairs leading to the first floor. The kitchen benefits from a south-facing aspect and offers far reaching views of the Kilkenny countryside. Fitted with built-in cupboard units along with an island unit, the kitchen enjoys ample storage. Notable features include a Belfast sink, a Rangemaster cooker and sash windows.

The kitchen opens into the formal dining room through large double solid-wood doors, creating an excellent space for entertaining. Both the kitchen and dining room are tastefully decorated and feature double French doors that open onto an adjoining garden balcony, providing access to a patio area at the rear of the house, an idyllic setting for al fresco dining and enjoying long summer evenings. The dining room benefits from double-aspect views of the property and includes a stove fireplace in a marble surround.

From the inner hall a free-standing stair rises to the first floor and opens to a bright landing. The master ensuite bedroom together with a dressing room is generously proportioned. The dressing room offers floor to ceiling wardrobes for ample storage. A second ensuite bedroom is located to the right of the landing. Three further light filled bedrooms that lie to the left of the landing enjoy views out over the front of the property. A family bathroom, fitted with a shower unit and a bathtub service these three bedrooms. A door at the end of the landing area reveals a spiral staircase that leads back to the ground floor.

The Garden floor is accessed by a spiral stair which connects the three floors. An impressive billiards room is fitted with a built-in bar unit and features a flagstone floor. This level is completed by an office, wine cellar, gym rooms, utility and more storage and pantry rooms.

Gate Lodge
The Gate Lodge is a beautifully maintained cottage located at the entrance to Gowran Castle. This charming cottage extends to about 474 square feet and is constructed of limestone with granite reveals. The accommodation consists of a cosy living room, well-equipped kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The kitchen is fitted with built-in cupboard units and a Belfast sink. The Gate Lodge has a private garden area to the rear of the property.

Gardens and Grounds
Nestled within the glorious estate parkland, the immediate gardens surrounding the house are meticulously managed, creating a stunning backdrop. The diverse assortment of flora, fauna and outstanding specimen trees provide colour, shelter, amenity and privacy.

A walled patio area with built in barbecue lies to the east of the house and adjoins a fully fenced, tarmac tennis court.

Outbuildings
Gowran Castle features a charming and extensive range of traditional outbuildings situated to the east of the house, including multiple stores. Additionally, there is a modern 7-bay lean-to with a corrugated roof and concrete floor, divided into several pens for young stock and an area for hay storage.

Also located in this area is a derelict cottage with an expansive orchard to the rear which contains a number of fruit trees.

Farmland
Lot 1 comprises about 9 acres of grassland positioned to the front of the house. Bound by the main road and avenue the land is enclosed by a combination of stud railing, mature hedging and wire fencing.