Wells House, Co Wexford makes excess €5.5M

By Shirley Busteed

It's understood that Wells House, Wells, Gorey, Co Wexford, has been sold. The property went to the market in May last year, generating widespread interest ranging from developers looking for a country estate, to overseas business people. In fact, some interested parties arrived in their own private helicopters to view the property.

Although guided at €4.75 million, it's believed that a local businessman clinched the sale in recent months for a figure in excess of €5.5 million. At this stage, it's not clear what the new owner intends to do with the holding. However, due to its size and facilities, it's thought the property would make an ideal hotel with surrounding golf course.

Wells House is locally renowned in the area. Over the years, various tours were conducted around the house and many people would have stayed in the extensive residential accommodation.

Accessed by a tree-lined avenue, this 18th century residence extends to no less than 23,140 square feet and is reported to be one of the rare Gothic style houses in the country. Features include original fireplaces, large sash windows, mahogany staircase, wall paneling and decorative ceilings. Accommodation comprises six reception rooms, nine main bedrooms, nine further rooms in the attic, a chapel, and 12 rooms in the basement. The residence is, however, in need of some repair.

The two original courtyards have been converted to residential accommodation and now incorporate a total of 15 one and two-bedroom cottages and apartments.

There are also a further five chalets, a restaurant, 10-pin bowling alley, sports hall and staff kitchen, while the stone stable yard comprises five stables, three stalls and four lean-tos.

Standing on 98 acres, the land comprises 44.6 acres of mature pasture, 46.6 acres of mature woodland, with the remaining seven acres located around the house.

Selling agents, Knight Frank, Dublin, handled the sale.

Over €2M for Tullow farm

A 37.2-hectare (92-acre) non-residential farm situated at Killinure, Tullow, Co Carlow, sold privately in recent weeks. It's understood the property mostly attracted farming interest, including a number of landowners who sold land near a town. Although undisclosed, it's believed that a local farmer secured the sale for a figure in excess of €2 million, recently. Described as "very good arable land", the farm is set out in one block of five fields. Located five miles from Tullow, the property comes with about a mile of road frontage and has a small hayshed with lean-to. Michael Doyle Properties, Tullow, handled the sale.