Castletown Cox, the 513-acre estate in Kilkenny, was sold in the last week. Guided for €17.5m prior to the sale, the spectacular estate was put on the market last September and generated huge international interest, notably from Chinese and American parties.

Characterised by the substantial residence, the house is located in Piltown, on the Kilkenny-Tipperary border. Selling the property was Lord George Magan, while the buyer is anonymous, but believed to be international. Knight Frank auctioneers confirmed the sale, but remain tight lipped and gave no indication of the identity of the owner or the final price of the sale.

In a statement to Irish Country Living, James Meagher of Knight Frank did say that the property is one of the finest and modern estates in Europe.

The farmland

While the predominant feature of the estate is indeed the residence, the farmland is also of top quality. Standing on 513 acres, 340 acres of are used for agricultural purposes. The land has been rented out for the last number of years to a farmer. It is used as a tillage, sheep and beef enterprise, while the land is well fenced and maintained in very good condition. A number of internal roadways ease the practicality for the farmer in this extensive and substantial holding.

The property also has a significant forestry presence, with 70,000 trees planted on the estate.

Along with a recently developed shed capable of hosting circa 400 cattle, there are two ancillary farmyards and multiple outbuildings that could be put to a variety of uses. There are eight separate houses included in the sale, for example the front and back gate lodges, and a head gardener’s cottage.

The house and grounds

There is little doubt that the house is the main feature of what is a stunning property. Standing at circa 36,000 sq ft, the residence contains 10 bedrooms, including a master bedroom suite and nine principal en-suite bedrooms. The centre block of the house consists of the impressive entrance hall with black and white stone floors, fluted Corinthian columns and a chimneypiece.

Leading off the hall are a number of beautiful reception rooms, including a library and a music room. The two wings either side of the main house provide further accommodation for staff, guests and entertaining. Particular highlights include a gym, a billiards room, a model room and a ballroom in the westerly wing, while the easterly wing mainly comprises staff quarters.

According to Knight Frank, the beautiful 12 acres of formal gardens were designed by the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury. As well as this, there are 160 acres of parkland and 100 acres of the aforementioned forestry.

The sale

Competition for the property has been fierce since it came on the market in September.