This unique family home in West Cork was originally built for Lord Bandon
Welcome to The Farm, Gaggin, an early 19th confection in carved and worked stone, timber and ornate tracery, near Bandon in West Cork.
It was for the Bernard family/Lord Bandon, and designed by Irish architect Joseph Welland, whose other works include many Irish churches, including the 1840s consecrated St Peter’s Church in Bandon.
Here, just a couple of miles west of Bandon, this home known as The Farm could well today host civil wedding ceremonies.
Its 75’ long, off-centre hall with repeat, fan-vaulted ceilings, corbels and baronial fireplace, and polished terrazzo floor ending in a bifurcated staircase, and feature Gothic window, is picture-perfect for wedding receptions and photography.
However, right now, this distinctive six-bed, 4,250 sq ft house is a private family home, and has been in a local caring ownership for the past 14 years or so, having previously been lived in by German and British owners.
It come back to market this month, with agents Sherry FitzGerald Brennan Busteed in Bandon, with Roseanne De Vere Hunt of SF Countrywide, affiliated to Christies internationally.
It’s guided at €1.45m, and had been on the market several years ago, with other agents, guiding €1.6m but was withdrawn from sale subsequently.
Despite the title The Farm, this property is on just two acre of grounds, which include a feature monkey puzzle tree, and is reached up a long private avenue, which also serves some outbuildings which predate the house, and which include a one-bed, upgraded self-contained cottage with spiral staircase.
In the main, five-bay double pile house, original and exuberant features abound, from carved corbels and ornate ceilings, sash windows and Gothic arched windows with sashes, cases and shutters, as well as delicate lattice window panes, old floors, fireplaces, floors, and entrance portico.
Main rooms generally are to the left/south of the hall, as are five of the six first floor bedrooms ranged off the long landing.
Reception rooms include a lofty drawing room with wide bay window, facing south, with fireplace, dining room in a deep red colour with central arch, and cornicing.
The kitchen, meanwhile, has both an Aga and an open fireplace.
The two acres of ground, with long lawns and front terrace, are well-kept with feature planting and statuary and the agents say there’s scope to add to the rear, in the walls of a former building, to create a sun room, garden or games room, subject to planning.
Overseas interest is expected in this most uncommon West Cork home of unrelenting character, trailing Bandon history in its wake and located half an hour from Cork city and airport.
It’s a 15-20 minute spin from some of West Cork’s most popular beaches as well as tourism hot-spot Kinsale, which marks the southern end of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Dressed to impress
