Bective Demesne, Bective, Navan, Co Meath, has just arrived on the market. Standing on 180 acres, Bective Demesne has a deep affiliation to nearby Bective Abbey and would be regarded as a historic landmark property in the area.

Located almost equidistant from Trim and Navan, Bective Demesne comes to the market with a 13,100 sq ft mansion, a 2,500 sq ft gardener’s cottage, two gate lodges and a courtyard. Just 23 miles from the M50 interchange, this sprawling estate offers superb countryside living with over 2.5 miles of frontage to the majestic River Boyne and large areas of fabulous parkland, but yet is within close proximity to the capital.

Once home to a hive of equestrian sports and, in particular, to a major polo pitch designed by John Watson, better known as the “Father of Polo” back in the 1890s, Bective Demesne has been the living quarters to a range of families over the years, including politician Richard Bolton, novelist James Stern and literature writer Mary Lavin, whose father, Tom, managed the estate back in the 1930s for American businessman Charles Bird. Then, Norman Wachman acquired the property in the 1950s and set up a stud farm at Bective. He later sold it to Michael Wymes in 1975 where it became the family home to his wife, Eleanor, and their six children.

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With the exception of the gardener’s cottage, most of the buildings on the Demesne are in need of refurbishment and require a major injection of cash, making it an interesting restoration project for any prospective buyer.

For sale in one lot by private treaty through Philip Guckian from Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Dublin, and Ed Reilly from Sherry FitzGerald Reilly, Navan, the property has already generated a range of domestic and overseas inquiries, particularly from the US.

It was interesting to learn that, to date, Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide has taken a significant number of calls from prospective buyers in the US for Irish properties, ranging from the holiday home to the sprawling estate. The strength of the dollar is clearing proving quite favourable.

At a guide price of €3.5m, Bective Demesne certainly represents the upper end of the market.

Bective House

Built in the early 19th century, Bective House is a seven-bay two-storey mansion built in neoclassical style with spectacular views overlooking the River Boyne.

It’s thought that the house hasn’t been lived in for circa 15 years and requires a major overhaul. Accommodation ranges from three reception rooms, a large ballroom for entertainment, study, staff quarters and two bathrooms on the ground floor to nine bedrooms on the first floor – six of these overlook the Boyne river.

Adjoining the house is a large courtyard that would lend itself to the conversion of further accommodation subject to planning permission, while the two single-storey gate lodges located at the south and north entrances (dating back to 1852), are both in need of complete restoration. Beyond the courtyard is the stable yard which features a number of loose boxes, hay sheds and storage area.

The gardener’s cottage, however, has been tastefully restored to a high spec, giving a lovely modern fresh look. Accommodation includes a beautifully fitted kitchen with island unit and dining area, lounge, bathroom, utility, garage, and three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Set out in one 180-acre block, the land comprises circa 100 acres of excellent quality tillage ground while the remaining circa 80 acres occupies a mix of mature woodland and sprawling parkland with beautiful mature trees.

To add to this, the property is fully walled on the western boundary and has a number of access points along the main Trim/Navan road. In essence, Bective Demesne is a special property offering a range of agricultural and amenity opportunities for prospective buyers. It should make for an interesting sale over the next number of months. CL