Tipperary is a county known for its rich landscapes and equestrian heritage, both of which define the stunning setting of Ballylanigan House in Mullinahone, Co Tipperary.

Nestled in the footholds of the Slievenamon mountains, the 47ac farm has been home to well-known equestrian coach and FEI official Faith Ponsonby for the last two decades, during which time the house and equestrian facilities have been carefully stewarded, updated and maintained.

With her life’s work dedicated to equestrian industry, Faith has worn many equine hats – competitor, instructor, judge, chief steward, – to name a few - so it’s unsurprising to see that Ballylanigan House isn’t just a house with equine facilities, equine life is woven through the very fabric of the property.

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At the centre of the land, set back from the road, the five-bay two-storey Georgian residence sits in a tranquil and private setting, facing eastwards to overlook mature paddocks.

Spanning 375 sq m, the home includes five bedrooms and several reception rooms. Having been meticulously restored throughout the years, the building retains many original features including ornate cornicing, ceiling roses and a fanlight over the door.

Providing both elegant entertaining areas and more comfortable family living space, the house strikes a good balance between formality and everyday living.

The entrance hall at Ballylanigan House, where the ceiling rose and over-door fanlight can be seen.

Restored and maintained over the years, the house features a good balance of formal rooms and comfortable living space.

Aerial view outlining the land boundaries of Ballylanigan House. The house an yard are situated at the centre of the holding.

Along the east gable end of the house, the sunroom leads out to a well-stocked mature garden, manageable in size and bordered by an apple orchard, while the rear of the residence opens directly on to the cobbled equestrian yard. Decades of breeding and producing horses to local, national and European championship level have shaped the facilities here.

A stable block flanks each side of the yard offering eight loose boxes, and there are a further two pens in an adjacent building.

Other amenities here include a large, converted barn, which is equipped with a wet room and a lecture room accommodating up to 30 people, used for delivering equestrian education seminars.

Several large fields

Beyond the courtyard, the equine facilities continue with a large open sand arena and walker. This area also contains an open-sided shed, offering good machinery and hay storage, as well as a sheltered turnout pen.

Laid out in several large fields, the land also contains smaller parcels ideally suited to turning out mares and foals. All divisions are well sheltered, fully fenced, and benefit from a reliable water supply, with boundaries defined by mature hedging and trees.

Arranged around the central house and yard, every paddock is within easy walking distance. The surrounding roadways offer good hacking routes while the mountain foothills provide terrain suited to hillwork.

An aerial view of the yard, showing the stables at either side, and the converted barn at the end.

The courtyard contains two stable blocks featuring eight loose boxes.

Equestrian facilities include a walker, while an open sided shed offer hay and machinery storage, as well as a turnout pen.

When Irish Country Living spoke to Faith Ponsonby earlier this week she was, in true form, on her way to judge an event. She noted that while she would love to see the working equestrian aspect of the property continue, she would be equally happy knowing that someone with an interest in horses is enjoying it in their own way.

“It’s ideally suited to an equestrian family”, she said, “but if someone just wanted to enjoy it and keep some horses for hacking, it’s equally suitable for that.”

Guided at €1.5m and for sale by private treaty with joint agents Roseanne De Vere Hunt of Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes and John FitzGerald of Sherry FitzGerald Pollard FitzGerald, Ballylanigan House is ready for a new rider to take the reins.