A magical country estate, nearby to Cork city, with an exceptional 18th-century period home, fully renovated to allow contemporary sustainable living, set in some 70 acres (28.3 hectares) of glorious grounds including a well-preserved 15th-century castle, a beautiful stretch of the Dripsey river and a hydro-electric dam.
Dripsey Castle House is a historical home with a sustainable future. Centrally positioned within the estate the house dates to circa 1740 and is a fine example of fine Georgian architecture, although with the delightful juxtaposition of a 20th-century wing comprising a spacious contemporary style kitchen space. Fully renovated by the present owners with a specialist architectural company to embrace the fine original period features while seamlessly incorporating modern facilities and design including wi-fi connectivity throughout.
The main house comprises some 8,100 square feet (752 sq. metres) and includes eight bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, including two spa bathrooms. Elegant reception rooms include a drawing room, library, music room, family room, games room and cinema room. The original ballroom has been converted into a spectacular kitchen and dining space that includes double glazed Crittall-style steel windows allowing superb natural light and maximising exceptional estate views. A sheltered patio terrace behind the house links to a gym, art studio and to the attractive stone courtyard with a range of useful outbuildings. Built of contemporaneous date to the house, using local purple coloured sandstone, the single and two storey outbuildings have been re-roofed, and the courtyard retains original cobblestone. An enclosed walled garden (c. 1.5 acres) is positioned on the southern side of the house and links to the patio terrace.
The picturesque 15th-century Dripsey Castle, commands a rocky promontory above the Dripsey river and overlooks the estate water meadows, lake and river itself. A sister to Blarney castle, it was built circa 1450 by the Lords of Muskerry. The castle is an excellent example of an Irish tower house and is in exceptional structural condition. A fine reception hall on the ground floor has a vaulted ceiling and has made an ideal venue for events and celebrations. A small herd of Boer goats help sustainably maintain the parkland around the castle.
Sustainability has been foremost in the renovation with heating and electricity for the house and outbuildings provided from the estate’s woodland and lake. With electricity supplied from a hydroelectric generation facility and heating provided by a wood gasification furnace, utilising wood from the estate’s natural woodland cycle, the estate is carbon negative. Water from a private well is treated, pressurised and circulated to ensure all areas of the house benefit from balanced water pressure and instant hot water.
The estate includes a combination of mature and ancient woodlands, along with the water meadow, lake and well-timbered parkland grazing support a wide variety of habitats. Bird sightings include various species of waterfowl, birds of prey and a nesting pair of peregrine falcons. The woods are home to rabbits, foxes, badgers and red squirrels.
The walled garden includes mature apple trees and a gardener’s cottage, which could be restored. A castle folly, known as Owl’s Tower, is located in woods nearby to the house.
There is also c.20 acres (8 hectares) of productive pasture undergoing conversion to organic pasture. A castellated tower and a gate lodge adorn the impressive entrance gates, which lead along a half-mile tree lined avenue to the house and take in the impressive castle vista. Extensive pathways throughout the estate allow for walking and riding. The mellowing sound of cascading water flowing over the weir is never far away. Additional c.40 acres also available.
Dripsey Castle Estate is extremely private but very accessible with bustling Cork city and Cork international airport each about a 25-minute drive.
Detached 
8 Bedrooms 
9 Bathrooms 
