Got a million pounds to spare and looking for a new home?
Here are some of Northern Ireland’s most expensive properties, with at least a £1m price tag.
Mourne Park in Kilkeel, Co Down could be yours for £6,500,000.
The property is approached off the coast road through wrought iron gates up a beech and oak avenue drive with the River White Water adjacent to the boundary on the west side of the Estate. The drive leads up to the striking west facade.
It has been extensively refurbished and renovated over the years with particular care taken to retain original character features including ornate fireplaces, decorative wood panelling with cornice and frieze, impressive double doors and sash windows.
The house has both excellent formal reception rooms and entertaining facilities with almost all principal rooms opening out onto various terraces and formal gardens. Of particular note, is the morning room that has welcomed many a famous political and Royal visitors. Here, impressive double doors open through to a magnificently panelled room where French doors lead out to the formal gardens and lake creating the perfect entertaining space.
With seven bedroom suites, three further bedrooms, nursery wing and extensive secondary accommodation the house provides ample accommodation for both family, guests and staff. In the Nursery wing there are three bedrooms, laundry room and bathroom. This could make a separate flat with access via the back stairs. Off the half landing is the Captains room with a marble fireplace currently used as a guest bedroom. This was the Butler’s bedroom; well positioned to cope with the comings and goings of servants but well away from the principal bedrooms and guest suites. The back stairs lead up to a further four bedrooms on the second floor with further stairs at either end to the attic rooms.
Mourne Park is remarkable not only for its presence and history but its lovely arboretum and specimen trees laid out around the formal lawns and parkland running down to the lake.
The Mourne Park Estate has two additional cottages and two gate lodges. Although they are all in need of renovating and modernising, they will provide ideal accommodation for staff and guests.
There are four yards stretching away to the north of the house. The main yard is of stone cobble with a variety of out houses. The second main yard houses the stables, carriage barns, out houses and one of the cottages.
For more information visit www.templetonrobinson.com
Craigdarragh in Helens Bay, Bangor is on the market at a cool £2,000,000 - a bit of a leap from the £120 valuation placed on it in 1863.
In his book, Buildings of North County Down, CEB Brett refers to Craigdarragh House as “a very fine, grand house in Charles Lanyon’s most ornate style: externally if not internally, almost as grand as Ballywalter Park the home of Lord Dunleath. A stone and stucco house in Italianate palazzo style.”
Craigdarragh appears in public records in 1863 as being occupied by George Hamilton, then Lord Dufferin.
The main entrance of the house is to the landward (southern side) and features an ornate Doric porch, quoins, detailed cornice and decorative frieze. There is a secondary entrance to the garden (western) side with columns in antis which also features ornate plaster work and quoins. The interior retains some of the original features including elaborate door surrounds, cornicing and round-headed niches. Other details are hard to appreciate as the house was converted to St. Columbanus nursing home in 1950’s. Many alterations were made to the building as a consequence. Indeed a rather unsightly addition was made at that time and a further one in 1988. The nursing home was closed in 2002.
Approached by a sweeping, private driveway ‘guarded’ by a Gate Lodge at its entrance, the house is surrounded by c.26 acres of lawns, pasture and woodland with over 200 trees of various varieties. There is also a ‘glen’ with a stream and waterfall. The demesne has considerable frontage to a sandy cove and enjoys views over Belfast Lough.
During WWII the house was commandeered by the Army, a large hutted encampment was constructed in the grounds which housed some of the first American troops in Europe. After the death of Major Workman in 1949 the house was sold to the Sisters of Mercy and converted into a nursing home for the elderly.
Mourne Park House and the adjoining Courtyards and one Gate Lodge are listed buildings. There have been extensive talks with Planning Consultants, Historic Houses and the Planners themselves formulating a number of possibilities; one in particular related to Tourism. A planning scheme, derived by Planning Consultants after extensive talks with the various governing bodies, is available on request.
In the main house all fitted carpets, curtains and fitted white goods are included within the freehold sale. All light fittings, fire grates, garden furniture, statues and garden machinery as well as certain items of furniture, may be made separately available.
Services Electricity - Mains. Heating - Oil fired central heating. Drainage - Private. Water - Private well and Mains. Broadband - Available.
For more information visit www.rodgersandbrowne.co.uk
Circular Road in Cultra, Holywood is up for grabs at £1,295, 000.
Although this imposing detached residence was only built 11 years ago, its traditional architectural style has ensured that it blends in perfectly in this much admired residential area. Widely regarded as the most prestigious location in North Down, Cultra is renowned for its mix of elegant housing, as well as its convenience to Belfast by road or rail.
Designed by the award winning architect, Des Ewing, the property has been cleverly positioned on the site to ensure that the maximum number of rooms can benefit from the outstanding views across Belfast Lough to the Antrim Hills beyond.
As you would expect, the internal fittings are of the highest quality, complemented by the beautiful presentation throughout.
For the sailing enthusiast, the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club is within a couple of minutes walk, while the golfer can be catered for on the rolling fairways of the nearby Royal Belfast Golf Club. For those who prefer more gentle exercise, the delightful coastal walk is within a hundred yards of the property, providing the perfect ever changing environment for an evening stroll.
A truly superb home in an equally outstanding location.
For more information visit www.templetonrobinson.com
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