THE 227-ACRE Ardagh Demesne including its fine early 19th century house at Ardagh village in Co Longford is to be offered for sale by the Sisters of Mercy.
Paddy Jordan of Jordan Town Country estate agents is seeking €5 million for the demesne which forms part of a delightful village designed by John Rawson Carroll. It has been owned by the sisters since 1927 and has been run as a home economics college under the Department of Agriculture. Oliver Goldsmith is believed to have written his famous play She Stoops to Conquer after a visit to Ardagh.
The agent says that it has tremendous potential to be used as a country home, hotel/golf course or as an institution or dairy farm. The sale includes a milk quota of 75,749 gallons and a farmyard with 120 cubicles.
Around 12.5 acres are zoned for a medium density residential scheme while another stretch of land extending to 12 acres also has the same zoning.
The main house has been divided for institutional use and stands two-storey over basement with an overall floor area of 1,161sq m (12,500sq ft). There are four main reception rooms, a chapel\ballroom and 16 bedrooms on the first and second floors. A later addition includes a separate kitchen, diningroom, gymnasium and 16 further bedrooms. The house is approached by two separate tree-lined avenues.
The four sides of the limestone courtyard were restored in 1994 and include two traditional coach-houses, tack room, stables and lofts.
There is a clock tower at the entrance and some of the buildings have been used as classrooms. The accommodation also includes two gate lodges.
