CO WICKLOW/€3.5M:ANNAMOE HOUSE and Fishery on 15 acres in Co Wicklow on the edge of Annamoe village and on a busy tourist trail, offers a range of possibilities to tempt a range of prospective buyers.
The property - on the market with Lisney - is three miles from both the picturesque villages of Roundwood and Laragh and on the road to Glendalough. It is for sale by tender in one lot for a price in the region of €3.5 million.
The current owners, Brian and Diana Nally, moved here 25 years ago to escape the city.
Brian Nally, a fit 67-year-old, who started life in the motor business in Dublin, developed the two trout lakes, in surrounding woodland, and a large car-park, that together cover some seven acres of the property - turning his long-time hobby into a business.
The lakes are fed by the Avonmore river, running from Lough Dan. Many fishing competitions are held here. The rainbow trout with which the lake is stocked grow up to 4kgs.
A day's fly fishing is available to even the casual visitor, with all equipment provided. And for many years, there was a children's leisure park. And all the while, Diana had horses: the property is beside an equestrian centre.
Over the years, Brian ran a successful trout processing business from Annamoe. He was chairman of the Irish Aquaculture Association and also chairman of the Trout Growers section.
The five-bedroom Annamoe House stands on 1.2 acres. The house, which was built in 1854, measures 200sq m (2,152sq ft) and has two large reception rooms, two bathrooms, and a very large kitchen.
The house is sturdily built, but needs some upgrading.
Close to the house is a large stone coach-house which, subject to planning permission, could be converted into a holiday home. There is stabling for at least eight horses and an additional store-room.
But the real bonus of Annamoe is the possible development - which Brian says he would consider "if I had the money" and if he hadn't spent the last 50 years working really hard at what he has been doing and now that his four children have fled the coop.
There is planning permission for three log-cabin-style holiday homes on around three acres of the property and for the conversion of another building into a manager's cottage.
This land is uphill from the main house and no individual development size is specified. There is already ample car-parking and any future development should qualify for tourist-related grants.
Derek Evans, angling correspondent of The Irish Times, says of Annamoe: "Brian's background is in rainbow trout and Annamoe has to be one of the finest - it's in top condition. It's a terrific place to go.
"We have held the media fishing competition there for the last few years and all of the big media people, in radio, TV and the publications, have participated.
"Stock fisheries are springing up all over the country, but none has the same atmosphere as Annamoe has. It is unique and it's in one of the best places in the country as well."
And the future for the Nallys? "We want to stay in the area," Brian says, "but somewhere smaller."
The closing date for tenders is May 23rd.
Annamoe House and Fishery,
Annamoe,
Co Wicklow
A five-bedroom house, outbuildings, lake on 15 acres
Agent:Lisney
