Barretstown House, Newbridge, Co Kildare 

Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.  

p. 34. “(de Pentheny O’Kelly/LGI1958; Mansfield/IFR) A C19 house with gables and bargeboards, hood mouldings and a turret and spire. The. Home of Lt-Col H.L. Mansfield, and of his widow after his death 1948.” 

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/barretstown-house-newbridge-kildare/4497747

30/4/21 

9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms 

Eircode: W12VK65 

€3,000,000 

A Magnificent & Historical Period Residence on c. 25 Acres (10.11 Hectares) on River Liffey Originally the Family Seat of the O’Kelly Family for 150 years from 1820 to 1970. The present owners have occupied the residence as a private family home for 29 years having bought it in 1992. They are now downsizing as the children moved to live permanently abroad. Barrettstown House is one of 3 major houses in the area which had connected ownership previously. The other 2 are Morristown Lattin House and Yeomanstown House, nearby. Newbridge 4km, Naas 6km, M7 (Exit 10) 4km, Dublin 25km, International Airport 30km  

This charming and impressive family home was built in the early 19th Century in the Gothic revival style, typified by a front gable with entrance porch, steep pitched roofs with decorative barge boards, cross-gables with pinnacles, masonry chimera and a three storey tower.  

Interior original plasterwork is in excellent condition and includes a rare barrel-ceiling drawing room, while an ornately carved oak stairwell rises to the gallery above, on the first floor, where the original hand painted glass ceiling dominates the light filled hall below.  

A full refurbishment of the property was undertaken in 1993 – 1995 by the present owners, under the guidance of Historical Architecture Experts, Dunphy O’Connor Baird. Peter Johnson & Partners were responsible for interior design. The refurbishment included complete electrical wiring, new plumbing throughout, including new central heating system, new kitchen, new bathrooms, a spectacular orangery together with a large garaging complex. The property has been maintained in first class condition, presented in impeccable “move in” order. The lands are in one block all in permanent pasture with great shelter and many specimen trees including oak, beech, horse chestnut, cedar and scots pine. The accommodation in the main house extends to c. 10,570 sq.ft. (982 sq.m.). The Porch entrance leads into the Great Hall off which the drawingroom, library, gamesroom, study, diningroom, bespoke bar and kitchen/dining with Aga and understairs cloakroom are accessed. 

The Orangery, gym and sauna, laundry, wine-cellar and boot room complete the ground floor. The large windows give full natural and wonderful vistas of the River Liffey and mature garden surrounding the house. On the first floor there are 9 bedrooms (5 of which are ensuite), a family double shower bathroom, a TV room, study and linen room. The property has easy access to M7 which brings you directly to Dublin to the north 30 minutes and to the south via the M7 and M9. The area is well serviced by buses and nearby Newbridge Train Station which connects with Heuston Station and Grand Canal Dock. The property is approached from the Barrettstown – Newbridge Road via double electric gates and a gravelled 300 metres avenue through post and railed paddocks to the main house, which has a commanding position on the north banks of the River Liffey on which it has c. 600 metres frontage. HISTORY: The O’Kelly Family connection with Barrettstown House commenced with Edmund O’Kelly (1800 – 1859). During the earlier part of the 19th Century, Edmund substantially increased the size of the house, incorporating a large drawingroom, diningroom and a 3 storied tower. It then passed to his younger brother Peter O’Kelly (1807 – 1858) witnessed by his initials which are embossed on the fireplace in the diningroom. By 1876 the total area of the Barrettstown Estate exceeded 3,100 acres. In the early 20th Century, many tenants at Barrettstown acquired ownership of the lands, via a scheme established throughout the country by the Land Commission, such that by 1966 the Estate had been significantly reduced to 122 acres. Since 1970 there have only been 3 subsequent owners, including the vendors. GATE LODGE: Comprises porch entrance, sittingroom with brick fireplace, kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, bathroom and enclosed fenced garden and garage. 

OUTSIDE: * Cobbled courtyard. * Boiler House, Tank House, Shed. * Very large triple garage – suitable for a few stables. * Tarmacadam Tennis Court. * The gardens and grounds are a feature of the property and have been manicured and maintained.  

Barrettstown House is ideal for entertaining in the formal rooms which have 12 foot ceilings with ornate plasterwork, together with other original features including the impressive main staircase with minstrels gallery and historic fireplaces.  

SERVICES: Mains water supply, puraflo system, oil fired central heating, flogas system, internet, monitored alarm and security system.  

AMENITIES: Hunting: with the Kildares and South County Racing: Curragh, Naas, Punchestown Golf: Royal Curragh Golf Club, K Club Straffan, Naas and Newbridge Shopping: Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge and Kildare Retail Village in Kildare Town. Schools: Primary in Newbridge and Naas; Secondary at Newbridge College plus 3 others in Newbridge and Naas. Transport: Train from Newbridge and Sallins to Heuston Station and Grand Canal Dock in City (30 mins); Bus regular service to City Centre from Newbridge and Naas. 

Accommodation 

GROUND FLOOR: Entrance Baronial Great Hall: 15.89m x 4.56m With original plasterwork, leading onto the Ballroom/Drawingroom from double doorway. 

Library: 4.55m x 4.55m Original plasterwork, black marble fireplace, fully fitted bookshelves, fitted for TV, garden vistas. 

Family/Gamesroom: 4.55m x 7.5m Original plasterwork, marble fireplace, large windows opening out to vista of river and gardens, fitted for TV.  

Drawingroom: 11.5m x 5.25m In typical romantic gothic style, this great room opens out from the Great Hall, ideal for entertaining, stunning rare original barrel ceiling (plasterwork originally commissioned in London), white marble fireplace, double doors opening out to Rotunda Terrace over the Liffey and gardens.  

Study: 4.15m x 5.1m Opposite drawingroom, original historic “rent window”.  

Bar: 2.13m x 5.2m Bespoke carpentry by David Pickett, green marble counter fitted for draught beer and TV.  

Main Stairwell/Musical Gallery: This original oak staircase leads up to the minstrels gallery lit by the original hand painted glass ceiling. Cloakroom with w.c., w.h.b. Located beneath the stairs.  

Diningroom: 5.45m x 9.91m Baronial room with original stone fireplace, architecturally initialled with original brass fire irons and fittings. Large bay window with views over river and lawns.  

Orangery: 9.53m x 5.48m This beautiful room opens out from the diningroom onto the gardens and terraces by the Liffey.  

Octagon: Toilet with w.c., w.h.b. At back of hallway entrance.  

Kitchen: 9.42m x 6.46m Bespoke kitchen by David Prickett includes 4 oven Aga, Neff appliances, electric oven, gas stove, indoor BBQ grill, double fridge/freezer, dishwasher, large granite topped island with InSinkErator, fitted cupboards and baskets, microwave, electric sockets, original bells décor and stove, large window with vista of grounds. The Kitchen leads onto back hallway: 

Gym: 3.58m x 4.38m and sauna, laundry room, boot room, wine cellar and back door entrance off courtyard enclosure.  

FIRST FLOOR: Minstrels Gallery – a unique heritage feature of the house, lit by the original hand painted glass dome.  

Main Bedroom/Suite: 4.99m x 7.51m Beautifully lit by two large windows with views over gardens and river. The marble bathroom has a walk-in shower, bath, double sinks, toilet and bidet, handpainted murals.  

Principal Guest Suite: 4.99m x 6.09m With beautiful views of the gardens and grounds, original marble fireplace, shower ensuite.  

Study: 5.13m x 5.11m Double wardrobes and fireplace. TV Room: 3.79m x 3.49m With fireplace. Linen Room: Fitted shelving. Bedroom 3: 5.76m x 5.47m With fireplace, fitted wardrobes. Ensuite: Bath, walk-in shower, bidet. Bedroom 4: 4.52m x 4.13m Walk-in dressing room. Ensuite Bathroom: With bath, shower. Bedroom 5: 5.47m x 4.55m Fitted wardrobes. Ensuite shower room. Additional Bedrooms with Family Bathroom with Double Shower. Bedroom 6 5.32m x 5.06m With fireplace and wardrobe. Bedroom 7 5.03m x 3.34m With fireplace and wardrobe. 

Bedroom 8 3.83m x 3.11m With fireplace and wardrobe. Bedroom 9 3.83m x 3.06m With fireplace and wardrobe 

Features 

• Exceptional original 19th century plasterwork throughout. • Elegant rooms intact with period features. • Hand carved main stairwell. • Minstrels gallery with original painted glass ceiling. • Wide vistas over river and gardens. • Rare Barrel ceiling – drawingroom historic 19th Century Architecture. • Exterior masonry chimera and emblems. • Granite terraces. • Cobbled courtyard. • Fountain. • Orangery. • Fishing on Liffey. • Tennis Court. • Electric gates. • Fully alarmed. • Gate Lodge. • Oil fired central heating.