Charming and tasteful in Co Wicklow

Just over half a mile from the N11 Dublin/Wexford road, Tooman House and Farm, Tooman Road, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow, is expected to generate possible Dublin-based interest, given its fantastic setting.

The property arrived on the market through Clarke Auctioneers, Ashford, in the past fortnight and is one of the biggest to be offered for sale in Co Wicklow to date this year. In addition to its attractive location, Tooman stands on 116 acres of farmland, forestry and parkland, and apparently has already sparked some farmer-based interest.

To be able to view the property in last week’s blistering sun was pleasurable. Approached via a long, windy avenue which leads to a tree-lined densely populated area of parkland, Tooman oozes character, natural beauty and tranquillity. The parkland features a range of mature trees, some of which must be hundreds of years old, as well as a pond, specimen shrubs and beautifully maintained landscaped gardens.

Three residences

The property comes with three residences, including a log cabin. The main residence, which adjoins the courtyard, is a two-storey three-bedroom period house that overlooks the parkland and gardens. Built in the 1800s, the house is in need of refurbishment and modernisation but has an attractive courtyard to the rear that has been extremely well maintained.

With some investment and innovation, it could be converted to further residential accommodation, subject to planning. The courtyard, which is fitted with heavy, beautifully finished wooden doors, has a rendered exterior but underneath has an attractive stone face.

Designed by Sam Stephenson in the 1960s, the second residence is a 3,230 square foot flat-roofed bungalow that features two reception rooms, kitchen, three bedrooms and an adjoining one-bedroom granny flat with garage. Although requiring some updating and modernisation, the house sits on a beautifully poised site that overlooks Wicklow Bay.

The third residence is a fabulous Finnish log cabin that extends to 1,750 square feet. With a strong emphasis placed on energy efficiency, the house is mostly heated by a centrally located, large, wood-burning stove and features three bedrooms as well as an open plan living/dining area.

Other buildings on the property include a disused milking parlour, machinery shed, a pristine workshop and some traditional cattle sheds. One of the haysheds has been converted into a fully equipped engineer’s workshop which has its own oil-fired heating system.

Bought by a German family back in the ’60s, the land at Tooman was used over the decades for various cattle, tillage and sheep enterprises. However, it has been let out for sheep grazing for the past number of years and currently comprises circa 86 acres of grazing and parkland, as well as circa 30 acres of forestry.

Plenty of shelter

Laid out in 11 fields, the grazing platform offers plenty of shelter with lots of natural hedging and mature trees at the boundaries. With 500 metres of frontage to the Kilpedder/Newtownmountkennedy road, the land starts out flat and slowly rises towards the back. The forestry, which is situated at the northern boundary, comprises a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees to include ash, douglas fir, oak and sycamore.

There is no doubt that Tooman has the potential to appeal to a range of prospective buyers. Given the character and setting, the property would make a stunning stud farm. For others, the three houses and courtyard may provide the foundation for some sort of accommodation/tourist business opportunity while for the farmer, the 86 acres of grazing ground is certainly an attractive block for north Co Wicklow.

It will be an interesting sale for Clarke Auctioneers, which is offering the property by private treaty in one lot only at a guide price of €1.75 million (circa €15,000/acre).