Oldcourt House On C.13.48acre
Donadea
Co. Kildare
W91 Y90H

Six bedroom country house in perfect condition, with paddocks and stables, set in secluded grounds and surrounded by mature trees on some 5.46ha (13.48acres).

Originally built in 1800 as a Court House
Fully restored and refurbished and presented in perfect condition
Six bedrooms including a self-contained suite
Elegant reception rooms
Bright and charming kitchen with Aga and patio access
Private and secluded gardens with mature planting
Paddocks and woodlands
Alarm system, electronic gates, intercom and security lights
Stables
Hard tennis court
Orchard
Three car garage
c 5.46ha (13.48acres) of grounds
Adjacent to Donadea Forest Park
Close access and transport links to leading schools
35km to Dublin City
40 minutes to Dublin Airport

Oldcourt House

Built circa 1800, Oldcourt House was once, as its name suggests, a Court House. Central to the history of Donadea, it then became a rectory, remaining so until 1975, when it was fully refurbished as a gracious and elegant family home. Subsequent owners have lavished their care, attention, resources and good taste on the house, preserving its original features, and updating where appropriate. It is now presented for sale in ideal and perfect condition for the next generation to enjoy.

A protected historic structure, the house was originally built by the Aylmer family, owners of Donadea Castle. Descendants of the Aylmers would later gift the adjacent lands and ruins of the castle to the Church, and thence to the State, so that now Oldcourt House sits alongside one of the gems of Co Kildare, the 600 acre Donadea Forest Park.

Reached via a winding drive, the house itself is completely private. Downstairs, a bright entrance hall opens up to a very fine drawing room, formal dining room, and sitting room to one side, and a sunny games room to the other. Beyond these, the large kitchen with dining/sunroom leads on to a pantry and boot room/ utility room. The open plan kitchen is exceptionally bright. Warmed by an Aga, it opens to a sky lit dining area/sunroom and has French windows on to the wraparound sunken patio. There is also a quiet study or office space on this level.

Up the elegant staircase, there are five bedrooms, plus a self-contained one-bedroom suite, accessed via the boot room downstairs and separate access from the side of the house. This has obvious potential either as an au pair or staff flat, guest suite, or for additional income. Of the five other bedrooms, four are ensuite, as you come up the stairs the two rooms to your right also have walk-in wardrobes. Meanwhile, the third bedroom has a smaller bedroom off, ideal for a nursery, or study room for a teenager perhaps.

All the bedrooms command gorgeous views across the gardens and surrounding countryside. Throughout the house, original features abound and, due to the fine architecture, there are additional features, such as bow windows, and the octagonal sitting room downstairs, and similar bedroom above.

History
The history of Donadea stretches back across thousands of years. Back in pre-Christian times, one of the five ancient roads of Ireland passed through, bringing the early tribes to gather in Dublin. Later, St Patrick travelled the road, founding a church at Donadea as he went. You can still see the ruins of this today. The Aylmer family, who built Oldcourt House, and the adjacent castle in what is now the Forest Park, played key roles in the story of Ireland, supporting the rebels in the 1600s, and being outlawed later that century. Moving on through time, another Aylmer, the 7th Baronet, founded the famous Kildare Hunt, and was a Yeoman leader in the 1798 Rebellion. Today, it’s difficult to imagine any of these turbulent times in such a lush, beautiful and tranquil spot.

Gardens and Grounds

Reached by a short, winding driveway, Oldcourt House sits amidst beautiful, well tended mature gardens and grounds. There are specimen trees and shrubs, orchards, patios and paddocks. Recreation is catered for with a hard tennis court and woodland walks throughout the approx. 5.46ha (13.48acres).

Donadea is the original home of the Kildare Hunt, and horse lovers are well looked after, with three large stables and adjacent paddock. Another large paddock (approx. 2.46ha / 6.07acres) is across the road and is part of the sale.

The house has been cleverly oriented to fully enjoy the grounds, so that the open plan kitchen and sunroom with dining room, open to patios, surrounded by old and atmospheric sheltering walls.

The woodlands on the grounds lead on to the Donadea Forest Park itself. Back on site, there are sweeping lawns, and delicious spots among the trees for hammocks to hang, and more trees in the form of orchards. A kitchen garden with raised beds also provides for your own family feasts.

In addition to the stables, the extensive range of outbuildings include a three-car garage, potting sheds, a fuel shed and storeroom. There is also a hen run, log store, garden shed and boiler house.

Location

Donadea is a peaceful spot, and yet is incredibly convenient for Dublin city centre: just 35km away, with the airport only a 40 minute drive. Naas and Maynooth are also on your doorstep. In terms of schools, the prestigious Clongowes Wood is less than a10 minute drive, Newbridge College a 25 minute drive and there are also busses to Belvedere, Castleknock College and Mount Sackville close by.

The Forest Park, with its tearooms (open year round), and miles of walks, is a wonderful recreational amenity, but you’re spoiled for choice with outdoor activities in this part of Ireland. Golf at the K Club and Carton House are 12km and 14km respectively.

Equine enthusiasts can enjoy hunting, as Oldcourt is in the heart of Kildare, with Meath and Westmeath also within easy reach. There is racing at Naas, Punchestown and Fairyhouse.

Shopping, cafés, bars and restaurants are close at hand, in Naas, Maynooth, Clane and Liffey Valley. In all, the proximity to Dublin is a huge bonus to this beautiful spot, but the immediate amenities are also so strong, you may never have to venture too far from home.

M4 10km
Maynooth 12.5km
Naas 17.5km
Kildare 26km
Dublin City Centre 35km
Dublin Airport 43km

Directions
Directions:
Coming from Dublin, take the M4 motorway, exit at junction 7 for Maynooth/Naas, at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Straffan Road/R406. After 1.8km turn right onto L5037. Continue for 11km and turn left (after the entrance of Donadea Forest Park), the entrance to Oldcourt House is first on your right (comes up as Alexander Lodge on google maps, as this was an old name of the house).

BER: Exempt

Maynooth is a university town in north County Kildare, home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Pontifical University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St Patrick's College. Maynooth is also the seat of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference and holds the headquarters of Ireland's largest development charity, Trócaire.

A quiant town with a wealth of stunning historical buildings (including the Pontificial University), this town has a number of bars, restaurants and shops, as well as a Tesco supermarket.

 

Maynooth is located on the R148 road between Leixlip and Kilcock, with the M4 motorway bypassing the town. Other roads connect the town to Celbridge, Clane, and Dunboyne. Maynooth is also on the Dublin to Sligo rail line and is served by a commuter train service.