Killough Castle, Thurles, Co Tipperary
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. 298. “(Bayly/IFR) An old tower with Georgian churchwarden Gothic windows. Lower curved addition, later domestic wing with C19 battlemented porch.”
Detached three-bay three-storey country house, built c.1850, with Gothic Revival porch and single-bay full-height return, attached to west side of two-bay four-storey castellated tower house built c.1550. Two-storey castellated D-plan tower added to east wall of tower house c.1840 and three-bay two-storey block, built c.1800, added to rear wall of tower house. Roof of main block not visible behind slate-hung parapet. Pitched slate roof and rendered chimneystacks to rear addition. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls, with slate-hanging to southwest gable and rear elevations of main block. Roughcast rendered random rubble limestone walls to tower house and roughcast rendered walls to cylindrical tower. Square-headed window openings with timber sliding sash four-over-four pane windows surmounted by two-pane timber casement windows, grouped in triplet to ground and first floors of front and southwest gable, similar arrangement to second floor of front without casement detail, having double windows to rear, with sandstone sills, overall impression being that of mullioned and transomed windows. Pointed-arch window openings to second floor of tower house and first floor of cylindrical tower, with timber sliding sash six-over-six pane windows having timber intersecting tracery. Additional pointed-arch openings to ground floor of tower house, having paired pointed-arch openings with timber sliding sash windows having timber Y-tracery, also paired ogee-headed lights with timber sliding sash two-over-two pane windows surmounted by carved limestone human heads to spandrels, floral motifs and label-mouldings, and double timber sliding sash barred one-over-one pane window to ground set into blocked pointed-arch doorway, all having tooled limestone sills. Triple timber sliding sash windows to northeast gable of tower house and D-shaped tower, with lattice glazing. Timber sliding sash six-over-six pane windows to rear block. Tudor-arch door opening with chamfered render surround, surmounted by render label-moulding, having decorative timber panelled door and limestone steps, in rendered porch having timber sliding sash four-over-four pane windows to side walls of porch. Castellated random rubble limestone walls with pointed-arch openings leading to rear yard. Outbuildings to rear with pitched slate roofs and roughcast rendered walls, with horizontal blind oval recesses. Remains of walled garden to site. Random rubble limestone boundary walls with some castellated sections, having dressed limestone piers with carved caps and stile to rear entrance, rock-faced cut limestone piers to front entrance, both having double-leaf cast-iron gates, latter being more decorative and having associated gate lodge with pitched slate roof and rendered walls, extension and replacement door and windows.
Appraisal
This country house spans several periods and exhibiting a variety of architectural styles. The earliest remaining house on the site is a sixteenth-century tower house, with the remains of what may be castellated bawn walls. This accommodation was later expanded by the addition of an interesting D-plan tower, an early nineteenth-century extension and a more ornate mid-nineteenth-century building, with Tudor Revival style elements, to the west. This interesting house is pleasantly situated at the foot of a forested hillside and, together with its associated structures, forms an attractive element in the landscape.
http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=K
A 16th century tower house with a number of additions, Lewis records Killough Castle as the “occasional residence” of the Honourable Mrs Plunkett. In 1850 the Honourable Bowes Daly occupied the castle valued at £22.14 shillings which he held in fee.
For sale Sept 2023
Killough Castle and Farm, Thurles, Tipperary
€5,500,000
By Dougan Fitzgerald
Thriving farm with approximately 191ha (471acres), with the option of a further out farm of approximately 22.91ha (56acres) by further negotiation, giving a total of approximately 213.91ha (527acres) in prime Golden Vale country. With acres of arable and pasture lands in the heart of Ireland’s premier county, Killough Castle and farm offers an extraordinary opportunity for a signature home, business and working farm. Main House: Approximately 555.4 sq.m (5,978 sq.ft) Gate Lodge: Approximately 94.6 sq.m (1,018 sq.ft)
In the heart of Ireland’s Golden Vale, Killough Castle has a history dating back to the early 1400s. The original Tower House has early Georgian and later additions including six bedrooms, and there is also a three-bedroom gate lodge. Today, the Castle sits at the heart of a c.191.19ha (471 acres) farm. The excellent lands comprise arable land and grassland, forestry and woodlands, which have been noted for their biodiversity. Rich with original features, the Castle offers a magnificent opportunity to create a home of significance, while its unrivalled seclusion also offers huge potential for hospitality or other uses. The farmlands are of excellent quality and come complete with a range of farm buildings.
The Farm at Killough The approximately 191ha (471 acres) of land at Killough are ideally situated in Ireland’s Golden Vale, an area renowned for its exceptional grasslands and pastures. The Golden Vale is considered the best in Ireland for dairy farming, and the rich rolling pastures support a strong network of farming and farming organisations. Killough Castle has been at the heart of this pedigree for more than five hundred years, and the lands have been well-tended and fenced throughout, and are presented in excellent condition, providing arable lands, grasslands, forestry and woodlands and a range of farm buildings. The farm itself is serviced by two long avenues, with internal farm roadways, with a well providing a pristine water supply and river running through the farm. Laid out in well fenced arable and grasslands, forestry and woodlands, the site also includes a generous section of Killough Hill. The woodlands were the subject of a Biodiversity Study, conducted by University College Cork, which confirmed its high ecological value. Land usage The farm at Killough Castle comprises of a total of approximately 191ha (471acres) and the land usage is as follows (please reference boundary map for land usage): Arable land: 116ha (286acres) approximately Grassland :18.9ha (46.68acres) approximately Forestry: 37.18ha (91.83acres) approximately Native woodland: 12.18ha(30acres) approximately Scrub land: 0.47ha (1.16acres) approximately Developed area -castle, grounds, avenue, roads, farm buildings, gardens and ground: 6.46ha (15.95acres) Species of trees within the forestry: Norway spruce, alder, oak and chestnut. There is the option to purchase a second farm at nearby Ballytarsna of approximately 22.91ha (56acres) by further negotiation, giving a total of approximately 213.91ha (527acres). The lands in Ballytarsna are in grasslands and are approximately 10 minutes from Killough Castle and farm by car. The farm is in receipt of significant EU payments. Gardens and Grounds A 2km sweep of tarmac drive leads to Killough Castle, at the centre of the extensive farm. Mature and specimen trees shelter the ancient building, and rolling lawns stretch towards Killough Hill.
A castellated arch leads to the first of three interlinked yards. The Castle itself is adjoined by patios, planting, further lawns and secluded seating areas, all with mature planting. These range from formal spaces to wilder woodlands. The sheltering walls create a microclimate for growing, and there is a kitchen garden, greenhouse and orchard. A further 1km avenue leads to the rear entrance, while the remainder is serviced by all-weather estate roads. Carefully laid out by successive generations, the gardens at Killough provide peace, tranquillity and seclusion, sitting comfortably alongside the amenities of a top-quality working farm. History Richly historic, Killough Castle was first built in the 1400s, and has been added to over time, including during the early Georgian period. This layering of times and periods creates a warmly welcoming home that simultaneously tells a history of Ireland. One of Ireland’s more complete Tower Houses, the earliest part of Killough is said to have been built between 1415 and 1450 and was substantially rebuilt one hundred years later. In the late 1800s, the tower was modified in the Gothic Revival style, which reached its zenith in Ireland with Lismore Castle, further south in neighbouring Co Waterford. At Killough, you can see the evidence of the era in the window arches, and carved details, including some neo gothic gargoyles. These are ecclesiastical in design, as during the 1500s, the Castle was the summer residence of the Bishop of Cashel, Miler McGrath, who cemented his prosperity by making his peace with Queen Elizabeth I, and who is buried at the Rock of Cashel. The early Georgian residential wing was added, as well as a coach house, to create an inner courtyard. Further accommodation was built in the 1800s, in the wing that now hosts the main reception rooms and two of the six bedrooms. By 1850, the Castle was owned by the Honourable Bowes Daly, and was written into the history books as being valued at £22.14 shillings. Killough has been in the hands of its current owners for more than one hundred years and presents a unique opportunity to acquire a home or business of huge potential, that resonates with the legacies of generations, and of Irish history itself. Services Private well water supply Septic tank Solid fuel and electric heating Mains electricity
Accommodation
Killough Castle Laid out over three floors, Killough Castle is testament to generations of Irish history and architectural design. The front hallway leads to a large inner hall, off which is a magnificent dual aspect dining room, with an open fire. To the right, and into the oldest part of the Castle, there is a vaulted pantry and inner halls, leading separately to the historic round tower, and further to a scullery. The early Georgian accommodation to the rear comprises a breakfast room, kitchen with an Aga, study, store and utility room. The rear hall includes a boot room and access to the stable yard. These rooms are replete with original features from the different eras, including plasterwork, panelling, shuttering, vaults and fireplaces, all of which flow into a welcoming, seamless whole. The first floor shares the same footprint, and includes an exceptionally bright and sunny drawing room, with magnificent views, a charming sitting room, and a lookout landing providing view of Killough hill. A winding staircase in the upper floor of the round tower leads to the second floor main bedroom and access to the upper floors of the original castle. The first floor of the Georgian addition accommodates an atmospheric spacious study, a bathroom with wc, a separate wc, and three of the six bedrooms which are doubles. The top floor has three bedrooms, including the dramatic Master, with superb Gothic revival windows and access to stone spiral stairs leading to the upper floors of the castle and battlements with views across the rolling pastures of the Golden Vale. In the same family for more than a century, Killough Castle has been a much-loved family home. It comes on the market as a unique opportunity to create a residence of distinction, hospitality offering, retreat or headquarters. The surrounding farm offers both complete privacy and seclusion, and the benefits of a highly successful and well-serviced going concern. Gate lodge The three-bedroomed gate lodge at the entrance to the long avenue has its own private garden, and is ideal for a farm manager, staff cottage, or for additional accommodation or income generation.
Features
• Working farm with high quality acreage • Approximately 191ha (471acres) of arable land, grassland, forestry and native woodland • The potential to purchase an arable out farm of approximately 22.91ha (56acres) by further negotiation, giving a total of approximately 213.91ha (527acres). • A full range of farm buildings • Tarmac avenue with farm roadways throughout the land • Two entrances: the main 2km avenue leading to a beautifully secluded setting and a 1km back entrance • Historic castle accommodation, with Georgian wing • Original Tower House dating back to the 15th Century • Approximately 555.4 sq.m (5,978 sq. ft) of living accommodation • Six bedrooms • Spectacular uninterrupted views of Killough Hill • Gardens, patios and orchard • Three bedroomed gate lodge • 4km to Horse and Jockey exit to M8
BER Details
BER: Exempt
Directions
Location Situated in the heart of some of Ireland’s best pasture land, Killough Castle is beautifully secluded, yet less than 4km from the Horse and Jockey and exit to the M8 Dublin to Cork motorway. The town of Thurles is less than fifteen minutes away. Here there are regular direct rail connections to Dublin and Cork. Nearby Cashel boasts prestige accommodation with the recently refurbished Cashel Palace attracting visitors from around the world, many of whom are visiting the nearby Ballydoyle and Coolmore equestrian facilities. This means there are many wonderful pubs, cafés, restaurants and boutique shops on your doorstep. Sporting enthusiasts are catered for with golf courses, equestrian centres, racing, hunting and fishing; while the land at Killough Castle lends itself to walking, horse riding and other country pursuits. The local schools are excellent, at primary and secondary level, boasting famous alumni. The area is noted for its welcoming community, exceptional amenities and forward-thinking outlook, which is still embedded in a rich sense of history and legacy. 4km to M8 at Horse and Jockey, with access to Cork and Dublin 9km to Thurles 15km to Cashel 68km to Limerick City 84km to Adare 97km to Shannon International Airport 120km to Cork International Airport 157km to Dublin City Centre 164km to Dublin International Airport
Irish Historic Houses 