Mount Kennedy House, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, has been sold. The property was originally brought to the market a few years ago at an asking price of €2.95 million. It generated a number of inquiries, both at home and abroad, and although persevering through intensive negotiations at the time, an actual sale never crossed the line. That is until a couple of months ago when agent Ganly Walters, Dublin, was approached by a person living abroad who expressed serious interest in the property. After private negotiations, a deal was quickly agreed recently for a figure believed to be in excess of €3 million. It’s understood the buyer is not Irish.

Dating back to 1590, the estate was originally owned by Dublin merchant George Kennedy, and was added to by subsequent generations of the Kennedy family. By 1740, it extended to 10,000 Irish acres.

Described as “one of Ireland’s most elegant and classical Georgian estates”, Mount Kennedy House is a two-storey over-basement house which was originally designed by James Wyatt in 1772. One of the striking features of the house is the breath-taking interior decoration and plasterwork, which was designed by Michael Stapleton.

Extending to 1,400 square metres, accommodation includes four reception rooms, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, along with staff accommodation and an old kitchen and bakery.

The yard features six stables, two tack rooms, a loft, machinery shed, a sheep shed and a cattle shed. There is also a steward’s house and a porter’s lodge at the entrance. The 169 acres of sprawling parkland features fabulous mature trees, post and rail fencing and three ponds.