LAIRAKEEN HOUSE, BANAGHER, COUNTY GALWAY, IRELAND
An exquisite late 19th-century country home, privately positioned within glorious parkland, on the banks of the River Shannon, and nearby to Banagher town. Lairakeen House is a superb country home presented in excellent condition and comprising some 8,913 square feet or 828 square metres of accommodation and positioned within some 53 acres or 21.4 hectares. The main house is augmented by a Guest Cottage and a Studio Apartment to present some 12,019 square feet or 1,165 square metres of accommodation in total. Beautifully positioned within well-timbered parkland, against a backdrop of the River Shannon, the setting is picturesque and private. The small town of Banagher is just 2.5 miles or 4 kilometres away. Dublin International and Shannon International airports are each, respectively, within about a 1 hour 40 minute and 1 hour 30 minute driving time. Galway airport is about a 50 minute drive.
The grounds are impressive, and quite a feature of the property, with an abundance of ancient indigenous Irish Elm, Beech and Sycamore trees interspersed throughout the parkland meadows, through which a series of clipped pathways meander, to take in a river bank walk and connect to a small island and the formal gardens, positioned to the rear of the house and including an Edwardian vine house resplendent with home-grown figs, apricots and peaches.
Lairakeen House was completed circa 1870 as the centrepiece of a large landed estate. All the principal rooms benefit from elevated views over the mature grounds and to the River Shannon itself. Re-building and restoration works were painstakingly carried out in 2002 to sympathetically reinstate the house to restore the composition of the circa 1870 mansion, and to imbue period character and charm, a fire having destroyed a large portion of the house in 1931. The reinstated drawing room and library feature 16th-century mahogany and ebony panelling, while a chimneypiece dating from 1425 depicts the Palestine wars. Owing to the extensive re-building and renovation works the house is now presented in excellent condition and benefits from the installation of current high specification wiring, plumbing and heating systems providing an efficiency of running costs and comfort not often associated with such fine country houses. Usefully a lift or elevator has been installed to augment the delightful oak staircase and giving easy access to all floors. The works included the restoration of the stone courtyard and outbuildings adjacent to the house, which include useful garaging, a studio apartment and a guest cottage.
Overall, the effect is extremely aesthetically pleasing and complimentary of the picturesque setting. Lairakeen is now a wonderful well-equipped home with a delightful combination of period character and charm and a specification and layout suited to 21st-century living. Occupied as a private home by the current owner, the previous owner was Roger Whittaker, the singer-songwriter known for his eclectic mix of folk music and popular songs incorporating his baritone singing voice, guitar skills and trademark whistling ability. His best known songs include ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’, ‘Durham Town (The Leavin’)’ and ‘New World in the Morning’.
The estate includes a stretch of river frontage extending to some 400 yards. The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland and Britain and is a bustling colourful navigation. A harbour and marina in Banagher provides good boat access to the river, while the boathouse at Lairakeen provides access for small boats and could be upgraded.
EIRCODE [Property Specific Code] R42 DN24
GPS LOCATION 53.1976239 (latitude), -8.0406798 (longitude).
For more information, pictures, an interview or a visit please contact: David Ashmore (david.ashmore@sothebysrealty.ie or 087 251 2909)

PSRA Licence Number 003640
BER (Building Energy Rating): Exempt