Bell House

The entrance lobby forms a central link of the house.

The main living spaces span one side of an L shaped arrangement, with the informal dining room occupying the central elbow.

Here beneath a lofty pitched ceiling, an archway of French doors open from the gable-end onto a south-facing gravelled terrace; brilliant for al fresco meals.

A chequer-board of stone tiles announce a well-appointed and stylish kitchen annexed onto the opposing end of the dining room.

Stepping down behind the kitchen, is a bright and spacious sitting room.

Delightful features of this room include the recessed Charnwood stove – seasoned wood supplied – and deep-set windows overlooking the beautiful cut granite courtyard of the main house.

Directly above, and accessed by a sensual sweep of cantilevered stairs, is one of two generous double bedrooms. It’s coved ceiling, and quirky little floor-level windows augment the romance.

This bedroom has a generous and chic ensuite bathroom, which boasts both a glass shower booth and bath.

The second beautiful double bedroom is also upstairs, but at the far end of the home, and includes a small study area on the landing as you enter.

The bed is a super King size Zip & Link (can be converted to twins). A modest kitchenette has been included in the coving making the room semi-autonomous.

The headliner here though is that this bedroom accesses a large and private decked balcony, with views of the wonderful Carlow countryside across the walled garden.

The bedroom is served by a bathroom with dual-head shower off the corridor below. Here too is a utility room, full of everything you will need.

The main house and associated buildings are listed and are part of an ongoing restoration project by the owners, with some restricted access.

The property consists of 12 acres with broad views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow mountains – Mount Leinster in the distance – which include an expansive walled garden, currently set as pasture for rescue goats. The Bell House is approached via its own treelined driveway that snakes through a small woodland, and has its own private driveway, parking, and a magnificent sheltered patio area with cushy furniture and a firepit.

Amateur ornithologists will appreciate the mesmerizing starling murmurations in early Spring, abundance of seasonal swallows, and the rookery. Binoculars supplied.

Built in or around 1824 The Bell House originally accommodated the butler and housekeeper and subsequently housed the captain of a group of British Constabulary officers during the Irish Civil War.

Kitchen Appliances

Neff electric oven with 4 ring hob
Tall fridge-freezer
Dishwasher
Toaster
Nespresso coffee machine

Utility Appliances

Washing machine
Spin dryer
Iron

Bedrooms

Sizes – Two King-size convertible Zip & Link
2 Hairdryers

Tech & Entertainment

Wi-Fi Internet throughout
Flat-screen TV
Pelaton spin exercise bike

Other

Selection of books
Boardgames
Gas Central heating
Charnwood Woodburning Stove
Firepit & logs
BBQ

• Take a river cruise
• Try your hand at woodturning
• Take the Mount Leinster Heritage Drive
• Kayake along the Barrow
• Visit Huntingdon’sTemple of Isis
• Garden lovers check out Altamont
• Play a round at Mount Juliet
• Dine out at Sharoe
• Sink a hole in one at Mount Wolseley
• Go racing at the Curragh
• Back a horse at Gowran
• Pick a winner at Punchestown
• Enjoy some Carlow culture
• Go paddling on the Barrow
• Browse quirky in the Old Yard

• Go golfing in Bunclody
• Stock up at Tinahely Farm Shop

Try one of the numerous local Festivals:

• Carlow Arts Festival in June
• Borris Festival of Writing & Ideas in June
• Kilkenomics in November
• Savour Kilkenny in October
• Kilkenny Arts Festival in August

The house is just a couple of minutes from the pretty village of Fenagh, with its garage, grocery shop, off licence, two very friendly pubs and a post office; but you will need to go the 20 minutes by car to Carlow town for a broader spectrum of goods.

Fenagh is on the 75 km Mount Leinster Heritage Drive which passes through the beautiful countryside of south Carlow. Notable features in the landscape Mount Leinster – it’s highest peak at 796 metres.

Carlow town was the country’s capital in the 1300’s but it’s probably best known as home of the nation’s 4th most popular Institute of Technology.

Just east of Carlow Town, Browne’s Hill Dolmen is regarded by many as one of the foremost prehistoric monuments in Ireland. Its burial chamber roof is certainly one of the heaviest in Europe at about 100 tons.

Carlow Castle is a popular 13th century attraction. An attempt by a doctor in the 1800’s to convert the stone castle into an insane asylum destroyed most of the castle, however the two remaining towers demonstrate what an impressive construction it had been.

You may also be interested in a visit to the romantic ruin of Duckett’s Grove.

Visual Arts Carlow is a stunning building in the heart of Carlow Town and home of Visual Centre for contemporary art, Ireland’s largest and most spectacular space for contemporary art.
George Bernard Shaw Theatre – part of the Visual Arts complex, a 320-seat theatre with a packed programme of drama, film, dance, music and comedy.

O’haras is the local beer; brewed in Bagenalstown, well worth a try.

As mentioned elsewhere, the region is spoiled for fine golf courses, and If you enjoy a spot of leisurely fly fishing, Rathcon Lake is well stocked with top quality rainbow trout. The lake is designed so that 90% of the water is coverable from the bank. Rods and tackle are available for hire.

The River Barrow which flows through Carlow town, is the second-longest river in Ireland providing an inland link between the port of Waterford and the Grand Canal, which in turn connects Dublin to the River Shannon.

A walking trail known as The Barrow Way which follows the original towpath of the river for 114 kilometres, and would take approximately 4 days to cover on foot, though cycling is permitted. It is one of Ireland’s most scenic long-distance trails but remains largely undiscovered.

The vibrant medieval city of Kilkenny is a short drive, with its fine cathedral, and thirteenth-century Castle, which was principal residence of the Butler family for over 600 years, and well-known design and craft heritage. The city is renowned as an arts and crafts centre and is well served by restaurants and festivals.