Fortgranite Estate is entered through a romantic and impressive
toy castle Regency gate lodge, designed to replicate the original
family crest, and the boundary is largely walled.
The drive meanders through beautiful mature parkland up to the main house which sits
majestically with fine views over the parkland and woodland. Few properties can boast such a
private, beautiful and quiet setting. Fortgranite House is an imposing and historic
c.11,802.6sq.ft. (1096.5sq.m.) country house which was built in 1720s, remodelled in 1870s
and upgraded in 1969. Presently it is in need of total renovation and upgrading and is an ideal
project for someone who has foresight and vision to renew this historic house to its former
glory. It is square in plan with a recessed bay to the front and a projecting and imposing Doric
portico. The walls of the exterior are finished in unpainted render and rise to a dressed granite
parapet and cornice.
The main house has exceptional proportions throughout the principal rooms.
The entrance hall gives a wonderful sense of arrival and has an attractive open fireplace which
has an ornate timber surround and mantlepiece. The drawing room and morning room which
interlink are fine entertaining rooms and have fabulous views through a large bay window over
the formal gardens, lake and arboretum.
The library is atmospheric and has a beautiful marble fireplace. The first and second floors are
reached by a magnificent sweeping staircase which is a wonderful feature of the inner hall in
the centre of the house. On the first floor, there are six principal bedrooms and two bathrooms
with fine views over the parkland and gardens, there are a further four bedrooms and two
bathrooms to the rear of the house.
On the second floor there is a school room and further bedroom.
The lower ground floor which would originally have been the service floor for the house
includes a series of rooms which have great potential for utility rooms, games rooms and
offices.
Fortgranite House is in need of modernisation and refurbishment to allow it to flourish once
again as a wonderful family home.
History
These are recognised in the Tree
Council's Tree register of Ireland.
Particularly important examples
include: Norway Spruce, Western
Red Cedar, Scots Pine, Irish Yew,
Dawn Redwoods, Swamp Cypress,
Golden Japanese Cypress, Japanese
Red Wood, Field Maple, Spanish Fir,
Holm Oak, Incense Cedar, Cedars of
Lebanon, At las Cedar, Deodoar
Himalayan Cedar and Variegated
Sycamore.
The Estate which now comes to the market, has a fine history and is one of County Wicklow’s
most important properties. The previous owner’s the Dennis family are directly descended
from the Swifts of Lynn in Westmeath and thus from Jonathan Swift, the eminent 17th Century
satirist and Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Meade started the dairy business at
Fortgranite in the 1950s and his son, Piers moved to Fortgranite in the 1960s with his wife and
young family to continue the family’s keen interests in farming, horses and gardening.
GARDENS:
Surrounding the main house and radiating through the parkland are mature gardens which include a
lake with island and a water feature, former lawn tennis court and an exceptional array of some of
I r e l and' s finest collection of Rhododendrons and living trees which have been collected over the years.
These are recognised in the Tree Council's Tree register of Ireland.
Particularly important examples include: Norway Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Scots Pine, Irish Yew,
Dawn Redwoods, Swamp Cypress, Golden Japanese Cypress, Japanese Red Wood, Field Maple, Spanish Fir,
Holm Oak, Incense Cedar, Cedars of Lebanon, At las Cedar, Deodoar Himalayan Cedar and Variegated Sycamore.
SHEDS & YARD:
The yards include excellent modern facilities for over 200 head & include: • 220 cubicles including slatted units. • Open silage pits.
• Slurry tanks. • 2 Silos. • Haybarns. • Milking parlour has scope for an 18-unit side-by-side with automatic feeders.
• 1 bulk milk tank with c.8,800 litres capacity. • Excellent cattle handling facilities including cattle crush, holding yards.
• Plant room, office, workshop.
TRADITIONAL COURTYARDS 2 traditional ranges of beautiful
granite buildings comprising 9 loose boxes and various stores.
ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES:
At the head of both the front and back drives,
providing additional security, are two small gate lodges front gate and back gate, both of
which have one bedroom.
There are two further properties known as
Doyles Cottage (3 bedrooms) and Lennons Herd's Cottage (2 bedrooms).
.
LAND
The lands are all in permanent pasture and tillage laid out in approximately 20 divisions
including 2 which are separate from the main Estate opposite the entrance.
The majority of the lands are of excellent quality having been very well managed and are in
good heart.
The 341 acres are broken down as follows: - 285 acres in the main block with residence and yard
split into c. 200 acres in permanent pasture and c. 85 acres of parkland and meadows. - 45 acres
across the road from the front gate lodge - all in permanent pasture. - 10 acres in tillage.
The farm has been operated as a dairy enterprise by the previous owners and there is a good
internal farm road system giving easy access to all fields /grasslands.
SERVICES:
Mains electricity, oil-fired heating, private drainage. Water supply from own well on site.
BER: Exempt
Main Estate house:
Ground floor: 12 number rooms.
First floor: 10 number Bedrooms; 4 number bathrooms.
Second floor: Two number rooms
Basement: Original kitchen and additional 10 number rooms.
The Lodges:
Gate Lodge 1: One Bedroom, single storey residence.
Gate Lodge 2: One Bedroom, single storey residence.
Doyle's Cottage: Three Bedroom, two storey residence.
Lennon's Lodge: Two Bedroom, two storey residence.
Title: Freehold Folio numbers: WW38791F; WW38793F; WW6637.
Legal: Paul Stack, Solicitor, Main Street, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Viewing: Strictly with the Sole selling agents.
LOCATION:
Fortgranite Estate is situated approximately C. 3 Km From Baltinglass with extensive road
frontage on the R747 Baltinglass/Kiltegan road.
Easy access from Dublin only 1 hour's drive.
It also adjoins the Fortgranite/Talbotstown road and the Fortgranite/Tynock road.
Directions per Eircode W91W304.