Dolanstown, Knocknatulla, Co Meath

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. 104. “[Jones late of Headfort/LG1937 supp] An early C18 house of two storeys and seven bays, with a central breakfront, a Venetian window and a tall pedimented doorcase. Brackets under eaves on one side rather similar to those at Eyrescourt Castle, Co Galway. In 1814, the residence of Cunningham Jones (who was probably a son of Walter Jones, of Lisvagh, Co Leitrim, and his wife Charlotte, nee Cunningham.).” 

Record of Protected Structures: 

Dolanstown, townland Dolanstown, town: Kilcock 

An early 18th century house in part but is now much altered. It consists of 7 bays, 2 storeys, the roof dates from 1828. In 1786 this house was the seat of the Jones. The outbuildings, some modern, are used as a Stud farm. Incl. Gates and 

Gatelodge. 

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/dollanstown-estate-kilcock-meath/4338088

4/11/2019 

Dollanstown Estate, Kilcock, Meath 

11 beds, 7 baths, 1149308 – 1473057 sq m 

Eircode: W23 XY6K 

€7,500,000 

Ireland Sotheby’s International Realty  

Tel: 01 905 9790  

PSRA Licence No. 003640 

from myhome.ie

DOLLANSTOWN ESTATE, KILCOCK, COUNTY MEATH, IRELAND A splendid late-Georgian country home, enjoying a majestic position within delightful gardens, as the centrepiece of a glorious parkland estate. Enjoying a remarkable position deep within the estate, comprising some 284 acres or 115 hectares, magnificent panoramic vistas are captured from large windows throughout all the principal rooms. Whilst an extremely picturesque and private estate with a rich equestrian provenance the position is equally desirable, being just 21 miles or 34 kilometres from Dublin city centre and about 30 minutes driving of Dublin International airport. 
Dollanstown House is quite beautiful, and when considered within the context of the glorious gardens and wider picturesque estate, it is nestled within, the effect is decidedly magical. Dating to circa 1780 the house features all the charm and eloquence of late-Georgian design. The principal rooms are well-proportioned and benefit from good natural light and fine decorative features, such as large timber sash windows, tall ceilings and restrained plasterwork. Accommodation within the house extends to some 8,396 square feet or 780 square metres and includes 5 reception rooms and 7 bedrooms.  

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A guest cottage and studio apartment within the enclosed courtyard provide further accommodation, giving a total of some 10,494 square feet or 975 square metres combined. A manager’s house and 3 gate lodges complete the accommodation within the estate.  

Quite a feature of Dollanstown Estate are the remarkable gardens and grounds. The formal gardens surrounding the house are laid out in carefully clipped lawns interspersed with many notable and mature shrubs. A magnificent and intact walled garden is serenely private and quiet. 


The wider grounds of the estate comprise well-timbered and highly fertile parkland augmented with belts of mature woodland. Well maintained throughout the overall effect of the estate is visually pleasing. Being within a single contiguous block the estate has superb internal roadways and bridal ways and offers great amenity for leisure rides and walks, taking in a pleasant mixture of open parkland, woodland shelter belts and copses. 

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The renowned horse trainer, Peter Purcell Gilpin, ran a stud at Dollanstown in conjunction with his stud in Newmarket. Dollanstown was subsequently owned by an Austrian couple, who bred many notable winners at Dollanstown, including the Derby winner from 1961, Psidium. This strong equestrian tradition continued with the present owner, a former Swedish international event rider, who, seeking an elegant country house with lands suitable to keep and train champion horses, purchased in 1982. Subsequently an International-standard event course was created at Dollanstown, with an assortment of testing cross country fences over varying terrain, including woodlands and open parkland. Among notable events held were trials for the Olympic Games and European Championships in three-day eventing. A Derby Course has been used in competition up to 2016. There is also a 1.5 mile or 2,400 metre all-weather gallop. There are 3 stable yards within the estate. The main stable yard is positioned nearby to the main house and manager’s house and comprises 14 loose boxes and is augmented by the 4 original stables within the courtyard, indoor and outdoor arenas, a covered 6-bay horse walker and a large Dutch barn, used for hay and straw storage. An in-hand farm is operated alongside the equestrian enterprises. 

The woods are mainly laid out as shelter belts or small copses and provide shelter, privacy and amenity. An additional, adjacent, out-farm comprising some 80 acres or 32.4 hectares can also be purchased. Eircode W23 XY6K, GPS Location 53.4118548 (latitude), -6.6490713 (longitude) SELLING AGENTS Ireland Sotheby’s International Realty and Savills (Ireland) For more information, pictures, an interview or a visit please contact: David Ashmore (david.ashmore@sothebysrealty.ie or 087 251 2909) PSRA Licence Number 003640 BER Exempt 

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Houses a-d

Dollanstown or Dollinstown house is situated in the civil parish of Roddanstown, near Kilcock. An eighteenth century house of two storeys the roof dates from 1828. The outbuildings, some modern, are in use as a stud farm. In 1911 there were fifty one outbuildings, twenty one rooms in the house and eleven windows at the front of the house. 

In 1775 Richard Jones was one of the Justices of the Peace for County Kildare. In 1765 Richard Jones was M.P. for Killybegs from 1761 to 1768 and M.P. for Newtown Limavady 1768 to 1778. Richard died in 1790.  Richard was keen on hawking, hunting and country pursuits. Richard married Mary Cunningham. His ancestor, Roger Jones, was granted 200 acres to lay out the town of Killybegs by James I.  Arthur Young, the English improver, visited Dollanstown in 1776 when he was the guest of Roger Jones. 

In 1814 Dollanstown was the residence of Cunningham Jones and his wife Charlotte. In 1835 Dollanstown was the residence of Mr Gledstanes and described as a good two storey slated house with the land neatly planted with fir and ash trees.  In 1834 Ambrose Upton Gledstanes was one of magistrates for County Fermanagh. In the 1850s Henry S. Jones held the land and Ambrose U. Gladstone was leasing the house but not living in it. 

In 1901 Alexander McNeil and his family lived at Dollanstown. In 1911 Peter Purcell Gilpin was the owner of Dollanstown and Catherine Jane Newtown, caretaker and domestic servant,  was residing in the house. 

Later for sale by Savills:

W23 XY6K 7 beds5 baths780 m²

Exceptional estate with a quality stud farm in a prime location Read the feature on Dollanstown in Social and Personal Magazine here – Escape to the Country HISTORY Dollanstown was owned by the Hamilton Smythe family in the nineteenth century and for generations before. They are believed to have constructed the present house. The estate was taken over by the renowned horse trainer, Peter Purcell Gilpin, who established a stud at Dollanstown to run in conjunction with his stud at Newmarket. He sent out many notable winners, including two Derby winners and the mare, Pretty Polly, winner of 22 races. In 1939, following the death of Mr Gilpin, his widow leased Dollanstown to Mr J A Dewar, nephew of Lord Dewar, with an option to purchase the estate upon her death. Mrs Gilpin died in 1948 and Dewar availed of the option, subsequently adding a further 76 acres. Mr Jack Olding purchased the estate in 1954, following Mr Dewar’s death and after two years, sold it to Dr and Mme Plesch who added a further 100 acres to the estate to comprise a total of about 500 acres. Dr Plesch was a Doctor of Law, entrepreneur and horticulturalist, while his Austrian-born wife had a life-long affinity with horses. A total of 38 mares, fillies and yearlings were quickly acquired at public auction and privately to increase the broodmare band at Dollanstown. The couple bred many notable winners at Dollanstown, including the Derby winner from 1961, Psidium. Arguably the greatest horse owned by Dr and Mme Plesch was Sassafras, whose career highlight was success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The death of Dr Plesch in 1974 led to a dispersal sale in 1975. The estate had a number of Irish owners before it was purchased by the present owners in 1982. The adjoining farm at Ferrestown was purchased in 1992. The present owners created a International-standard event course. DESCRIPTION Dollanstown Stud & Estate is an equestrian, agricultural and residential estate extending to about 284 acres (115 hectares) in total. It is situated in an area of Ireland which is famed worldwide for its equestrianism and combined with its excellent facilities, places Dollanstown in the premier league of country estates and stud farms in the country. The estate comprises a wide range of assets including a fully modernised country house at its core. The house is set within formal grounds and includes well-balanced and beautifully proportioned accommodation. Dollanstown includes an additional 6 residential properties which are of traditional construction and design. They provide employee accommodation and offer the potential for holiday cottages or longer term letting properties. The estate has immaculate formal gardens, a beautiful walled garden, parkland and wooded policies. The equestrianism at Dollanstown is the key feature with 71 stables spread over five yards, an all-weather gallop, two outdoor arenas, an indoor arena, a horse walker and an event course. A livestock-rearing enterprise is presently run in-hand at Dollanstown with farm buildings. A particular advantage of the estate is the extent and quality of the farmland which lies in a contiguous block and has good access via the public roads and a network of internal roads and tracks. The estate is partially enclosed by a traditional stone wall. While the house is within commuting distance of Dublin city centre and is just 23 kilometres from the M50 Dublin bypass, it occupies a private situation with no evidence of suburbia from the estate. The house and main yard are conveniently situated at the core of the estate. BER 1. Newtown Yard Lodge, BER No 111191458, BER D1 2. Gate Lodge Dollanstown, BER No 111191565, BER G

Accommodation 

Features 

• 7-bedroom period house with wing
• Formal gardens, railed parkland
• 6 Further estate houses
• 71 Stables and all weather gallop
• 2 Outdoor and 1 indoor riding arenas
• Top quality limestone grassland
• About 115 hectares/284 acres

BER Details 

Exempt

Negotiator 

Pat O’Hagan