THE elegant and gracious Dowdstown House Stud on 26 acres of limestone rich land has come on the market in Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The stunning Georgian house has a balance of modern luxury living with the historical grandeur of a country home. It was last renovated when the current owners bought the property in the 1980s and it has maintained its character despite being upgraded. Positioned with a south facing aspect and overlooking the land, the mansion has six bedrooms upstairs and facilities that make it a perfect family home.

The home also provides the perfect venue for entertaining visitors. On entering the mansion, guests are greeted with a large feature staircase (pictured above) leading to a reception room with two ballrooms either side.

Outside, in a beautiful old courtyard, stands a three bedroom mews and a one bedroom apartment suitable for caretakers, workers or a stable hand. The well-kept garden is beautifully manicured, there is not a branch out of place and a walled kitchen garden has fruit trees and shrubs that are nurtured.

ARABIAN HORSES

Dowdstown has operated as a stud farm since the 1940s. The current owners, an Irish-Swiss family, who spend a lot of time living overseas, are renowned breeders of Arabian horses and have used Dowdstown as their base for many years. The couple have owned and bred many horses through the years and placed in the top 10 at the 2000 World Arabian Horse Championship in Paris.

The 26 acres of land is in exceptional condition and divided into paddocks by post and rail fencing. The courtyard has 14 large stables and a further three foaling boxes. Tailor-made for a small breeding operation, with potential for expansion, the equestrian facilities at the stud farm also include a secure tack room, a lunge arena and a large hay and machinery shed.

Selling agent Philip Guckian reports that the property is receiving good interest and a number of overseas buyers are hoping to travel to Ireland to view the stud farm in the coming months. “This type of property, which needs no restoration at all, rarely comes onto the market. It may become a second home for a family that live abroad and want something in a good location that has character,” said Guckian, of Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Dublin.

Nestled in the middle of horsey heaven in Co Kildare, the stud farm is located in the Kildare Hunt and the Ward Union Hunt country. For racing lovers, Punchestown racecourse is a 35 minute drive away and for the sport horse enthusiasts Coilóg Equestrian Centre is also just 30 minutes down the road towards Kilmeague, Naas.

Located 2km from the busy town of Maynooth, 26km from Dublin city via the M4 and less than an hour from Dublin airport, which makes the property attractive for overseas buyers, with ease of access an important factor.

Brought to the market by Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes, Dublin and Sherry FitzGerald Reilly, Clane, Dowdstown House Stud is for sale by private treaty with an asking price of €4.35 million.