Benown (also known as Harmony Hall), Athlone, Co Westmeath 

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. 40. “(Caulfeild, sub Charlemont, V/PB; Harris-Temple, sub Harris, B/PB) A late C18 house of two storeys over basement built by a member of the Caulfield family. Five bay front; central Wyatt window; doorway with graceful segmental fanlight extending over door and sidelights and Tuscan columns going up as far as the fanlight glazing and thus supporting nothing. Sold to the Chaigneau family; passed in later C19 to Cap Hon Arthur Harris, afterwards Harris-Temple, who married the widow of Cap Arthur Chaigneau. Owned by the Fox family from the beginning of the present century until 1971; afterwards the home of Mr Wilson. Let, during 1880s, to Dr Gleeson, founder of the Athlone Woollen Mills.”

€975,000 

6 bed, 2 bath, 1263 sq m 

Harmony Hall, an exceptionally large Georgian residence sitting on eight acres of gardens and pasture at the village of Glasson, Athlone. 
It lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty and is designated a Grade 1 Protected Structure and has important architectural features including a wide tripartite door case, a double internal fanlight, a Wyatt window on the second floor and an internal well. 
The house is approached via an attractive gateway and drive 500m from the main road. 

It is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Westmeath with an abundance of original Georgian features.. 
Harmony was built in 1789 for a descendent of the Caulfield family. It is described in detail in ‘The Houses and Landed Families of Westmeath. 

The house sits in 8 acres, is surrounded by pastureland and within its demesne, a stable block, a bee house and a pigeon house. 
It has been occupied by the current owners for 30 years. 

Exceptionally large recently refurbished Georgian residence in beautiful original condition 
Located on the edge of the lovely Glasson village and very close to Lough Ree 
Sitting on an elevated site plus 8 acres of gardens and pasture. 
Original features include: 9 ft. ceilings, ornate coving, feature fireplaces, Wyatt window over entrance doors. 

Front Hall 6.10m x 4.00m (20’0″ x 13’1″) Beautiful Georgian entrance door with large Wyatt window leads into an exceptional front hall complete with 9ft ceilings and finished with ornate coving.  

Drawing Room  8.10m x 5.70m (26’7″ x 18’8″) Elegantly large and well proportioned, filled with natural light through surround sliding sash windows, ornate coving, feature fireplace offering an ideal entertaining room.  

Dining Room  8.10m x 5.70m (26’7″ x 18’8″) Bright, spacious & inviting – offering feature fireplace, solid wood flooring, sliding sash windows and high ceilings.  
Music Room  6.50m x 4.70m (21’4″ x 15’5″) Dual access, feature fireplace, sliding sash window.  

Sitting Room  4.20m x 3.10m (13’9″ x 10’2″) Beautifully proportioned with high ceilings, ornate coving, sliding sash windows, feature fireplace and solid wood flooring.  

Library 6.50m x 4.70m (21’4″ x 15’5″) Cozy and relaxing room situated around a feature ornate fireplace, solid wood flooring, 9 ft. ceilings, ornate coving overlooking mature tree land.  

Ball Room 8.20m x 5.40m (26’11” x 17’9″) Large bright airy room with east / west sliding sash windows.  
Games Room  5.60m x 5.40m (18’4″ x 17’9″) Spacious games room / Den with east / west windows.  

First Floor  

Landing 10.90m x 2.40m (35’9″ x 7’10”) Situated off a fantastic dual cast iron open string feature stairway along with fabulous chandelier. Bright, Airy with high ceilings and ornate coving.  

Lower ground floor/Garden level.  The lower ground floor is a large living area below the hall level accessed by a wide stairway. It measures approx. 300m2(3,230 sq. ft.) It has beautiful stone flagged floors and cobbles in some rooms. It is divided up into: a large country kitchen with a large AGA and attractive cabinets. Wine cellar & strong room Workshop store utility laundry room full sized bathroom various workrooms and storage areas. Rear door to the garden & garage.  

Bedroom 1 8.10m x 5.60m (26’7″ x 18’4″) Bright, extremely spacious room with dual aspect sliding sash windows featuring ornate fireplace, coving and wardrobe.  
Bedroom 2 8.10m x 5.60m (26’7″ x 18’4″) Bright, extremely spacious room with dual aspect sliding sash windows featuring ornate fireplace, coving and wardrobe.  
Bedroom 3 6.60m x 4.70m (21’8″ x 15’5″) Beautifully laid out with high ceilings, large fireplace, sliding sash windows.  
Bedroom 4 6.60m x 4.60m (21’8″ x 15’1″) Beautifully laid out with high ceilings, large fireplace, sliding sash windows  
Bedroom 5 4.30m x 4.00m (14’1″ x 13’1″)  
Bedroom 6 4.20m x 2.80m (13’9″ x 9’2″)  
Bathroom 3.30m x 2.70m (10’10” x 8’10”) Large modern bathroom.  
Attic/Storage Fantastic storage laid out over multiple rooms offering potential for extra bedrooms.