Ballinapark House, Bunclody, County Wexford

not in Bence-Jones

Ballinapark House, Bunclody, County Wexford for sale June 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald

€650,000 Y21 KR02 4 beds3 baths455 m²

Description 

A CHARMING PERIOD RESIDENCE SET ON APPROXIMATELY 1.10 HECTARES (2.7 ACRES) OF BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED PRIVATE GARDENS, SURROUNDED BY PICTURESQUE PARKLAND AND WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF VIBRANT BUNCLODY TOWN. SPECIAL FEATURES • Elegant period residence, nestled on approximately 1.10 hectares (2.7 acres) of landscaped gardens, surrounded by picturesque parkland • Accommodation extending to approx. 454.6 sq.m (4,893 sq.ft) • 3 elegant receptions rooms & 4 spacious bedrooms • Electric gates ensuring security and privacy • Within walking distance of Bunclody town offering easy access to shops, schools, sports clubs, and Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club BALLINAPARK HOUSE Ballinapark House is a charming two-storey over basement residence, designed in a classic hunting and shooting lodge style, and originally formed part of the Newtownbarry House Estate in Bunclody. Upon entering, you are welcomed into a bright porch, where two small arched windows allow natural light to filter in, highlighting the stunning original cut stone flooring. This space leads seamlessly into the entrance hall, where a staircase connects the various floors. To the left, the drawing room offers a refined setting for entertaining, featuring a marble open fireplace that adds warmth and character. While two large sash windows, complete with original shutters, enhance the room’s grandeur. On the opposite side of the hall, the dining room is equally impressive. Spacious enough to seat twelve comfortably, it’s ideal for hosting gatherings. A patio door extends the space outdoors to a raised patio area, perfect for alfresco dining. Returning to the entrance hall the staircase leads you down to the lower ground floor, where a patio door in the corridor opens to a beautifully enclosed courtyard at the rear of the house. As you continue along the corridor, you will pass a spacious WC before reaching the living room, a cosy, everyday space. The room is adorned with panelling and library-style shelving, and is warmed by a wood-burning stove, adding both comfort and character. The stairs continue down to the basement, where you will find the kitchen. This traditional space features wooden cabinets, an island unit, a double Belfast sink, a gas hob, and a classic Aga. A door from the kitchen leads out to a walled garden at the side of the house. The basement also includes a couple of small rooms, ideal for storage or various other uses. As you ascend the stairs to the first floor, the return landing leads to two generously sized double bedrooms and the main bathroom, which is equipped with a shower, toilet, bidet, and a free-standing bathtub. At the top of the stairs, there are two more spacious double bedrooms, both offering stunning views of the surrounding garden and parkland. One of these is the principal bedroom, which includes an ensuite bathroom with a toilet, shower, and vanity unit. GARDENS & GROUNDS Ballinapark House enjoys a secluded and private setting, surrounded by picturesque parkland and offering scenic views over the Blackstairs Mountains. A long driveway, secured by electric gates, leads to the property, ensuring both privacy and security. As you arrive, you are greeted by a large gravel forecourt that seamlessly transitions into a sprawling lawn, bordered by mature trees and shrubs. To the side and rear of the house, an enclosed walled garden provides a tranquil retreat, with neatly maintained lawns separated by meandering gravel paths. The garden is adorned with a variety of plants and shrubs and features a dedicated area with raised beds sewn with a wide range of vegetables, complemented by a greenhouse and a nearby garden tool shed. Tucked into one corner of the walled garden, a charming courtyard houses four small sheds, perfect for storing firewood and other outdoor essentials. The walled garden is directly accessible from the kitchen, where a raised patio provides the perfect spot for summer barbecues and outdoor relaxation. The outdoor amenities are further enhanced by a spacious double garage, located on the opposite side of the rear of the house, providing ample storage and secure parking. LOCATION Ballinapark House enjoys an ideal location within walking distance of Bunclody, a charming yet vibrant town offering an array of cafes, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, supermarkets, and hotels. One of its standout attractions is the Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club, set on 300 acres of stunning parkland along the River Slaney within the former Hall-Dare Estate. Since opening in March 2009, the course has been ranked among the top 21 parkland courses in Ireland and was recently voted ‘The Best Hidden Gem in Ireland.’ The club also features a driving range and an excellent clubhouse with a shop, bar, and restaurant serving a top-quality menu. Bunclody is also home to various sports clubs, including an outdoor heated swimming pool with tennis courts, a GAA club, a soccer club, and a polo club. For families, the town offers a range of educational options, including two national schools and two secondary schools, notably FCJ Secondary School, which has a strong reputation for academic excellence. Beyond Bunclody, Ballinapark House is conveniently located approximately 21km from Enniscorthy and 31km from Gorey, both of which offer a wealth of additional amenities. For those who enjoy coastal escapes, the beautiful beaches of Morriscastle and Ballymoney are just a 40-minute drive away. Meanwhile, the vibrant city of Kilkenny, known for its excellent shopping and renowned restaurants, is only 50 minutes away. For commuters and travellers, the property is ideally situated approximately 120km from Dublin and 125km from Dublin Airport, making it well-connected while still offering a peaceful countryside retreat.

Accommodation 

BER Details 

Exempt

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15602022/ballinapark-house-ballinapark-bunclody-co-wexford

Detached five-bay two-storey over basement farmhouse, extant 1839, on a T-shaped plan centred on single-bay full-height gabled projecting breakfront. Sold, 1862. “Improved”, pre-1904, producing present composition. Leased, 1911. Sold, 1980. Reroofed. Replacement pitched artificial slate roof on a T-shaped plan centred on pitched (gabled) artificial slate roof with pressed or rolled lead ridges, lichen-spotted cut-granite coping to gables on cut-granite “Cavetto” kneelers with fine roughcast chimney stacks to apexes having cut-granite capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, and uPVC rainwater goods on slate flagged eaves retaining cast-iron octagonal or ogee hoppers and downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered fine roughcast walls. Segmental-headed central door opening approached by flight of three cut-granite steps with red brick header bond voussoirs framing timber panelled door having overlight. Round-headed window openings to “cheeks” with concealed dressings framing fixed-pane timber fittings. Square-headed window openings with cut-granite sills, and concealed dressings framing one-over-one timber sash windows having part exposed sash boxes. Interior including (ground floor): central hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors with carved timber surrounds to window openings framing timber panelled shutters. Set in landscaped grounds.

Appraisal

A farmhouse erected by George Browne (—-) representing an important component of the eighteenth-century domestic built heritage of Bunclody with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the deliberate alignment maximising on scenic vistas overlooking gently rolling grounds and the meandering River Slaney; the symmetrical footprint centred on an expressed breakfront; and the diminishing in scale of the openings on each floor producing a graduated visual impression: meanwhile, aspects of the composition clearly illustrate the continued development or “improvement” of the farmhouse in the later nineteenth century. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the historic or original fabric, both to the exterior and to the interior where contemporary joinery; restrained chimneypieces; and plasterwork refinements, all highlight the artistic potential of the composition. Furthermore, an adjacent stable outbuilding (see 15602023); and a distant gate lodge (see 15602024), all continue to contribute positively to the group and setting values of an estate having historic connections with the Browne family including John Wesley Browne (—-); and a succession of tenants of the Hall-Dares of neighbouring Newtownbarry House including Lieutenant-General Brabazon Henry Pottinger (1840-1913), ‘Lieutenant-General – Retired List’ (NA 1901); and Reginald Barclay (—-), ‘Colonel in Army’ (NA 1911).

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15602024/ballinapark-house-ballinapark-bunclody-co-wexford

Detached three-bay single-storey gate lodge with half-dormer attic, extant 1904, on a rectangular plan centred on single-bay single-storey gabled advanced porch. Hipped slate roof including gablets to window openings to half-dormer attic; pitched (gabled) slate roof (porch), roll moulded terracotta ridge tiles, replacement yellow brick Running bond off-central chimney stack having corbelled stepped capping supporting terracotta pot, decorative timber bargeboards to gables on timber purlins, and cast-iron rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on slightly overhanging eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part repointed coursed rubble stone walls originally rendered with hammered granite flush quoins to corners. Camber- or segmental-headed central door opening with red brick header bond voussoirs framing replacement glazed timber panelled door having overlight. Camber- or segmental-headed flanking window openings with cut-granite sills, and red brick header bond voussoirs framing timber casement windows. Set back from line of road at entrance to grounds of Ballinapark House.

Appraisal

A gate lodge illustrating the continued development or “improvement” of the Ballinapark House estate in a later nineteenth century with the architectural value of the composition suggested by such attributes as the compact rectilinear plan form centred on a windbreak-like porch; and the decorative timber work embellishing a high pitched roofline. Having been well maintained, the elementary form and massing survive intact together with substantial quantities of the original fabric, thus upholding the character or integrity of a gate lodge forming part of a neat self-contained group alongside an adjacent gateway (see 15602025) with the resulting ensemble making a pleasing visual statement in a sylvan street scene.