https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12402107/view-mount-duninga-kilkenny

Detached three-bay two-storey Classical-style country house, c.1850, possibly incorporating fabric of earlier house, c.1725, on site with three-bay single-storey flat-roofed projecting porch to centre ground floor, single-bay two-storey advanced end bay to right, three-bay two-storey side elevations, three-bay two-storey lower parallel range along rear (east) elevation terminating in single-bay two-storey higher end bay having two-storey canted bay window, and three-bay single-storey service range with half-dormer attic to south-east. Now disused. Hipped slate roofs (half-octagonal to canted bay window; gabled to half-dormer attic windows to service range) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having cut-limestone stringcourses, rooflights, and cast-iron rainwater goods on slightly overhanging cut-limestone eaves. Roof to porch not visible behind parapet. Unpainted rendered, ruled and lined walls with cut-limestone stringcourse to first floor, cut-limestone band to eaves, limestone ashlar walls to porch having chamfered pilasters with moulded necking, moulded cornice on stringcourse, panelled parapet rising into gable to centre, and cut-limestone coping. Square-headed window openings (some paired; in camber-headed recesses to ground floor) with cut-limestone sills (forming sill course to first floor having panelled risers), chamfered reveals to ground floor, and one-over-one timber sash windows (square-headed window openings to service range with cut-limestone sills, and one-over-one timber sash windows). Square-headed openings to porch with two cut-limestone steps, timber panelled double doors having overlight, and one-over-one timber sash sidelights. Interior with timber panelled shutters to window openings. Set back from road in own grounds with tarmacadam forecourt, and landscaped grounds to site. (ii) Attached six-bay two-storey outbuilding wing, c.1850, to south on an L-shaped plan possibly incorporating fabric of earlier house, c.1725, on site with elliptical-headed carriageway to ground floor, and four-bay single-storey projecting range to left. Now disused. Pitched slate roof (hipped gabled to projecting range) with clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having rendered stringcourses, and cast-iron rainwater goods on rendered eaves. Unpainted roughcast walls over random rubble limestone construction. Square-headed window openings (some in bipartite arrangement) with cut-limestone sills, concealed yellow brick surrounds, and remains of two-over-two timber sash windows. Square-headed door opening with yellow brick block-and-start surround (originally concealed), and remains of timber door. Elliptical-headed carriageway to ground floor with no fittings.

Appraisal

An elegantly-appointed substantial country house redeveloped for the Flood family in the mid nineteenth century possibly incorporating an early eighteenth-century range in the grounds, thereby maintaining a long-standing presence on site. Stylistically reminiscent of the contemporary (c.1850) Barraghcore House (12402103/KK-21-03) nearby, thus suggesting the possibility of a shared architect or builder the architectural design value of the composition is identified by characteristics including the balanced arrangement of the pleasantly-proportioned openings, the paired arrangement of some openings, and so on, all centred on an enriched porch displaying high quality stone masonry. Having historically been very well maintained the house presents an early aspect with the original fabric surviving substantially intact both to the exterior and to the interior, thereby maintaining the character of a composition forming the centrepiece of a large-scale rural landholding. Despite having fallen into poor repair an attendant outbuilding range makes a positive contribution to the group and setting values of the house in the landscape.

https://www.myhome.ie/residential/brochure/viewmount-paulstown-kilkenny/3822183

Viewmount, Paulstown, County Kilkenny For sale courtesy Boyds

R95V670 11 beds5 baths800 m²

Viewmount House is an attractive, period residence with origins dating back to the 16th century. Situated in the verdant Kilkenny countryside, the property enjoys a delightful setting amongst 7 acres of quality parkland. The house retains a wealth of period features throughout,consistent with the age and style of the building including; originalsash windows, flagstone tiled floors, open fireplaces, ornate cornicing and ceiling roses. The property, whilst currently lived in will require some modernisation and updating. Viewmount House has all the basics required to create a wonderful family home in a delightful rural setting, offering a lifestyle which is increasingly hard to find. 

Accommodation 

On the ground floor is a large and beautifully tiled hall, off which are four principle reception rooms, each with marble fireplaces and large windows. The drawing room has a large bay window affording a bright and light filled entertaining space. A kitchen, pantry, utility room, boiler room and guest WC complete the main house ground floor accommodation. A separate wing to the rear of the house could be made into a into a self contained three bedroom annexe. Upstairs are eight large bright bedrooms, a shower room, bathroom and WC. 

Features 

Period residence on 7 acres Numerous original period features Own water supply from well Oil Central Heating Excellent location just off M9 Motorway and 15 minutes from Kilkenny City 

https://www.carlowlive.ie/news/property/433815/auction-contents-of-viewmount-house-on-carlow-kilkenny-border-to-go-under-the-hammer.html

25 Jul 2019 

The contents of the Victorian manor, Viewmount House, will go under the hammer at Goresbridge Antiques Auctions on July 29 on behalf of the Hanlon family and various other clients.

The stately residence was once the childhood home of award-winning author, poet and journalist Kildare Dobbs whose work was heavily influenced by his time spent in “rooms lit by lamps and candles, heated by log fires in marble chimney pieces” as depicted in his autobiography Running The Rapids: The Life Of A Writer.

The original dower house was built circa 1750 with the main house we see today added around 1850.

All original features have been maintained and changed little since Kildare Dobbs roamed its hallways including flagstone and tiled floors, marble fireplaces and superbly ornate cornicing all of which serves as a backdrop for the hundreds of items and objects of interest that form the contents clearance.

Another notable resident was renowned architect Vincent O’Callaghan, whose early architectural drawings, plans and instruments feature among the 800 lots on offer in the upcoming auction.

The sale will also include Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian Furniture, Quality Dining room, Sitting room, Bedroom and Occasional Furniture, Oil Paintings, Prints, Clocks, Glass, Pine, Brass, Porcelain, Mirrors, Waterford Crystal, Garden furniture, rugs many other collectable items.

Viewing takes place at Viewmount House while the auction itself will be held at the Goresbridge Sales Complex at 1pm Monday, July 29.

https://www.independent.ie/life/home-garden/homes/amazing-victorian-house-once-home-to-award-winning-writer-on-the-market-in-kilkenny-for-800k/35224162.html

Amazing Victorian house once home to award-winning writer on the market in Kilkenny for €800k

Writer’s beloved Victorian manse comes to market for €800k, writes Alison Gill

Fri 18 Nov 2016

The writer Kildare Dobbs was best known for his short stories, narrative non-fiction, travel books, poetry and journalism. His first book Running To Paradise won a Governor General’s Award in Canada in 1962, his adopted home until he was returned to Ireland for burial in Castlecomer in 2013.

Dobbs was born in India but spent most of his childhood at Viewmount House in Kilkenny. In his 2005 autobiography Running The Rapids: A Writer’s Life, he regales us with stories of his lamp-lit, big house youth after his family moved back to Ireland from India and bought the Victorian mansion in 1925.

“At last, we settled in Viewmount, near Gowran in Co Kilkenny. It was not far from Castlecomer, where father had grown up, and almost 11 miles from Kilkenny, where Grandpa had been bishop from 1911 to 1915. Once settled in, neat and welcoming with new paint, rich Indian carpets and family furniture taken out of storage, we were at home again. Life resumed its rhythm – regular meals, walks, church-goings and domestic music. The rooms were lit by lamps and candles, heated by log fires in marble chimney pieces.”

Life in Ireland took some adjusting to for Dobbs and his siblings, but his great love for his new Irish home is evident throughout the book.

“Viewmount was well named, sited in clear view of Mount Leinster. The changing light on the mountain – now purple, now blue, now brownish – was never the same from moment to moment. The mountain was framed on one side by the walled gardens with herbaceous borders in front, and on the left by tall trees, including a majestic Sequoia gigantean.”

He tells many tales of his strict upbringing and his home-schooling by his governess Miss Caldwell. Her constantly harsh manner caused Dobbs and his brother to rebel against the regime on one occasion. “One evil day, when our parents were away in Dublin, something snapped and we rose in revolt. After all, our country existed because of a rebellion. When Miss Caldwell tried to collar us, I whacked her on her corseted behind with a cricket stump, a disgraceful deed, though she was well-armoured.”

The Dobbs family sold the house in the mid-1950s to Vincent and Ann O’Callaghan, where they remained until the late 1970s. Viewmount was then taken over by Ann’s nephew Jim Hanlon and his wife Finousa. The Hanlons have kept the main house just as it was when little Dobbs used to gaze at Mount Leinster – with all original features still intact like the sash windows, flagstone tiled floors, open fireplaces and ornate cornicing and ceiling roses. Although it will be hard for them to part with such a property, they are looking forward to downsizing and no longer worrying about the upkeep of such an enormous home. The back part of the house is believed to date back to 1750 and it’s thought Viewmount was a dower house for one of the daughters of Francis Flood of Farmley, who took over the land around 1725. The main front of the house was built on sometime around 1850.

The floor area of the house is 3,000 sq ft and it comes with seven acres of land. The large tiled hall, with its fireplace and wooden staircase, has been beautifully maintained. There are four reception rooms off this, each with marble fireplaces and large windows. The kitchen, pantry, utility and boiler room complete the accommodation on the ground floor.

There is a separate wing to the side of the house, which could be converted into a self-contained annex as it is already laid out with a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. This would be ideal for an elderly relative or could be done up as a luxury holiday let for extra income. Upstairs, there are eight large bedrooms, a shower room, bathroom and WC. New owners may want to add a few ensuite bathrooms and dressing rooms. Not surprisingly for a house of this age, it comes with a BER G, which will need to be addressed.

Outside, the inner courtyard has a number of outbuildings that are in need of restoration and water comes from a private well.

Viewmount House is on the market through joint agents Colliers International (01) 6333700 and REA Boyd’s in Kilkenny (056) 7764833.

Viewmount House

Paulstown, Co Kilkenny

Asking price: €800,000