Georgian house with avenue of ancient limes

The Crofton Estate in Beltra, Co. Sligo, comprising a Georgian house and the remains of a large Georgian mansion destroyed by fire in the early 19th century, is being offered for sale though Jackson-Stops McCabe at £870,000.

The property is being sold by Sir Malby Crofton Bart., whose family have owned the lands since 1600. In the past, the estate covered some 40,000 acres, but all that remains to be included in the sale is 45 acres of woodland, gardens and grounds.

Located approximately 13 miles from Sligo town and around 24 miles from Ballina, Longford House is a handsome Georgian house, that was built as a wing to the original mansion. A second house, called the Smoke House, provides useful accommodation for guests or staff.

The original mansion stands close to the main house. Built in 1782, it is a fine cut stone three-storey building with a classical Georgian facade and an impressive porticoed entrance. Most of the windows were replaced to allow it to be used as a store in the 19th century and it also has a flat roof. The approach to the property is via impressive entrance gates and along a magnificent avenue of ancient limes which meet high overhead to form a continuous arch of foliage. Longford House is a six-bedroom house with a three-bedroom annex that has a separate entrance from the yard.

Both parts of the house need refurbishment, according to selling agent John Hamilton. The main house has a large double drawing room with two Adam-style chimney-pieces of carved wood. The dining room has French doors to the garden, and there is also a study, sun room, panelled gun room and kitchen at this level.

Upstairs, the main bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there are two further bathrooms.

The annex wing has two sitting rooms, a kitchenette and three bedrooms and can easily be incorporated into the main house through two communicating doors.

The Smoke House, which is believed to date from the late 18th century, was substantially restored and altered in the 1960s. It has two reception rooms, a conservatory and kitchen downstairs, as well as a bedroom and bathroom, and three further bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.

The houses are surrounded by old gardens and fine protective timber. There are several attractive walks through the property, including an old yew walk.

Longford House is in the centre of Sligo Harriers hunt country, and there are several salmon fishing rivers within an easy drive.