Tulira Castle – yours for just €6.5m

The stately Tulira Castle in Ardrahan – part of which dates back to the 16th Century – is attracting interest from potential buyers from Britain, the US and the Far East.

And selling agent Robert Ganly of Ganly Walters believes the castle and its 250 acres of mature woodland and parkland – which are on the market for €6.5 million – will be sold by the Summer.

“We’ve had serious international interest, varying from the UK, the US and the Far East. The place is in tip-top shape and I have every confidence it will be sold by the Summer.

“It’s the sort of place that will appeal to an ex-pat that wants to come back to Ireland, or indeed someone who has already made their money.

“Denis O’Brien recently bought Ballinahinch, so that’s the target market. Some of his pals might be interested!” Mr Ganly told the Connacht Tribune, adding that there was interest from people within Ireland too.

He described it as “the best property to come on the market in Ireland in 20 years”.

Its current owners, Dutch couple Ruud and Femmy Bolmeijer, bought the property 18 years ago for the equivalent of just over €2.5m, and are now planning on downsizing.

The castle comprises three main buildings, a medieval tower, courtyard buildings and the Victorian Castle. The original structure, a medieval tower house, rests on 12th century foundations.

It was once the home of Edward Martyn, co-founder of the Abbey Theatre and the first President of Sinn Féin.

Tulira is one of Ireland’s most historically significant castles, with a rich architectural heritage. It is approached by a three-quarter-mile avenue lined with 95 lime trees.

There are seven bedrooms, four reception rooms and seven bathrooms, and the three outbuildings are used for staff quarters. The original tower from the 1500s has been restored and has a chapel, banqueting hall and wine cellar

The property is surrounded by two acres of landscaped gardens, an ornamental lake and an orchard with a ruined original greenhouse, while the walled garden has a large stone fountain, greenhouse, pergola, and herb and vegetable gardens.