St. Patrick likely wasn’t much of a partier or perhaps a Roman) who was kidnapped and brought to Ireland against his will, eventually becoming a priest and converting the Irish from paganism to Christianity. Not exactly a fun-loving lifetime. , even as the day we celebrate him is full of indulgences. That said, if whiskey and Guinness and traditional Irish-American-style corned beef and cabbage aren’t enough of a fête for you, perhaps you’d like to pick up the ultimate party spot: an Irish castle.Glin Castle, in west County Limerick, sits on 380 acres, 23 of which are “pleasure grounds”—the woodland walks and gardens, both landscaped and informal, that surround the building. If you’re into vintage houses, this one ought to do. It’s about 700 years old.Glin Castle is located in County Limerick, Ireland, just over the Shannon Estuary from County Clare.Originally built by an order called the Knights of Glin, the castle was handed down for generations and served as the ancestral home to the FitzGerald clan.
But the last Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald, died in 2011. He had three daughters, but no sons, so he had no heir to assume the helm. (The three daughters all live outside of Ireland, anyway; one is even married to actor Dominic West, McNulty from The Wire.) Before the patriarch's death, the family tried renting it out to celebs such as Mick Jagger. They then operated the 20,000-square-foot castle as a luxury bed-and-breakfast—what’s called a “Blue Book property”—from 2005 to 2009, but that wasn’t a time for booming business.“The recession hit and they decided not to continue,” says Roseanne De Vere-Hunt, director and head of country homes, farms, and estates at Sherry FitzGerald (no direct relation), an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate in Ireland. Luckily for the next owner, she says, “they spent about €2.5 million [$2.75 million] bringing it up to luxury standards.”Seen here, the castle’s “double flying staircase” with a Venetian window that overlooks the garden.
The castle has 21 bedrooms and includes a smoking room, a drawing room, and a library. Corinthian columns line the reception hall and lead to a magnificent staircase, the only "double flying staircase" in Ireland, lit by a Venetian window. Look close for decorative shamrocks; Glin's one of the first recorded places they were used. There’s also a gate lodge and a guest lodge done up in a hyperdecorative “gingerbread” style, for when your fête needs some overflow space. A dairy farm that comes with the property is fully operational thanks to a partnership agreement with the FitzGeralds and a local farmer.The front hall with its screen of Corinthian columns, a neoclassical ceiling, and historic portraits of the Knights of Glin. The romantic title dates back to the early 13th century.If you’re worried about decorating 20,000 square feet, have no fear. Many of the castle’s contents and furnishings are for sale as well, most having been collected over lifetimes and expertly curated by the late knight, who himself was a key player in establishing the Irish Historical Trust.
They include a set of sixteen 19th century Jacobean dining chairs; a turn-of-the-19th-century mahogany clock; and portraits of Knights of Glin through the ages. The collection is valued by Christie’s Auction House, where Desmond FitzGerald worked as the Irish representative, at €2.35 million, and is offered separately from the rest of the estate.The collection of furnishings, décor, and art is offered separately from the rest of the estate.By American—or at least New York or San Francisco—standards, the castle, its grounds, and adjacent buildings are a bargain at a mere €6.5 million, or around $7.2 million. If you want to buy a place on the route of New York’s famous St. Patrick’s Day parade (it's the oldest in the world), which runs from 44th to 79th streets up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, you’re more likely to get a three-bed, two-bath co-op like this one. It’s not bad (look at that terrace!), but it’s no castle. The property, says De Vere-Hunt, “has seen considerable interest from international buyers, particularly American, many of them with Irish heritage looking for a piece of Irish history and soil.”
And luckily those folks can pass it on to their children, no matter what gender they may be.The 23 acres of mature pleasure grounds include well-thought-out formal gardens as well as informal gardens that link to the wider parkland estate’s woodland walks.Glin Castle can be operated as a B&B again, now that the economy has picked up, or as a full-time or country residence. De Vere-Hunt thinks it’s particularly well-suited for a seasonal home, one that an owner could rent out the rest of the year. After all, the castle sits about an hour west of Limerick city and Shannon International Airport, making it easy to get back and forth to the States or Europe.But, let’s face it, with 380 acres you probably have room to add an airstrip and land your private plane.Glin Castle overlooks the Shannon Estuary on the periphery of Glin village. It’s an hour’s drive from Limerick city center and about 2.5 hours from Dublin.Some 380 acres of mature parkland are ripe for hunts with the North Kerry Harriers club.
Here, the dining room. Those 19th century Jacobean dining chairs are for sale, too, in a set of 16.One of Glin Castle’s 21 bedrooms.Yes, there’s more modern, modest rooms in the castle, too—like this living room/library.Glin Castle spans some 20,000 square feet. Here, the dine-in kitchen.Decorative plasterwork comes with the sale. FitzGerald’s notable collection of Irish furniture and paintings is valued by Christie’s at an additional $2.6 million.Large Zebra Framed PrintMercury Glass Lamp with Calico ShadeEmbroidered CushionSee allAntoinette Mc MahonCaren CullenCora CollinsMary O SullivanCatherine VickersMartina ClancyVishnu SharmaSee allBrowsers Furniture CoNew delivery! Our stylish Neptune Home # collection has arrived in store and it looks even better in the flesh. The solid oak top is treated to a 7 stage finishing process and rests on a powder coated solid steel frame; visit our Neptune by Browsers showroom to see this incredible level of craftsmanship for yourself.Browsers Furniture CoOur gorgeous Dash & Albert rugs have a special trick up their sleeves - they are washable!
Made from synthetic woven fibres, these hard wearing rugs are ideal for high traffic areas and even outdoors. Available in many designs, colours and sizes to order, call into our Design Studio for more information.IESee allBrowsers Furniture CoDid you know that all Neptune eggshell paints are suitable for bathrooms? With over 40 shades, including exciting seasonal colours, why not visit us at our Neptune by Browsers showroom for expert advice on picking the perfect colour.The sell out Hudson table is back and now the durable design has been extended into a wider collection. Hand-made, the Hudson's innovative composite stone top is blended with concrete, fibreglass and plant kernels to create a material with all the qualities of concrete but without the impractical heavy weight, while a solid acacia base sits beneath. Now available to order at Browsers.Browsers Furniture CoBunratty, IrelandThe bigger the better when it comes to the amazing @neptunehome Bloomsbury (very) large # lamp painted in Shingle, the ultimate statement lamp.
Available in other colours. # # # # # # # #Browsers Furniture Co updated their cover photo.Browsers Furniture Co added 9 new photos.The latest collection of encaustic tiles have arrived at Browsers. Encaustic tiles were first made in Europe in the late 19th century. They were used to decorate the floors of palaces in St. Petersburg, Gaudi’s distinctive houses in Barcelona, and grand hallways from Paris to Saigon. Today they are to be found in countless chic bars, restaurants and designer-homes in London, Paris and New York. Ca’ Pietra’s collection of hand-made decorative tiles are made using the ‘encaustic’ technique with cement where the pattern is inlaid into the body of the tile, so that the design and colour remain, even as the tile wears. These differ from ceramic tiles, where the surface pattern is the product of the finishing glaze printed on the surface.Browsers Furniture Co shared Neptune Home's photo.It's the last weekend of the Neptune sale at Browsers - 20% off a selection of furniture and home accessories, including this beautiful four poster bed.
Neptune HomeThis is the last weekend of our January Sale. We still have a wide selection of designs available with 20% off, including selected finishes on our show stoppin...g Wardley four-poster bed. /content/offers/our-january-sale/ Browsers Furniture CoWE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to MICHELLE SURDIVAL who has won a €200 voucher to spend at the Browsers showroom. Michelle commented that she is looking for a "beautiful vintage chandelier". Thank you to all those who entered our prize draw, we are so grateful for your wonderful comments and look forward to welcoming you into our showroom again.Browsers Furniture Co# : DAY 10! Every space needs a hint of metallic shimmer to bring contrast and light into the room. Trending right now is this pretty rose-gold shade, looking super chic on our twisted glazed side table, as picked by Alexia. “This side table is so streamlined, yet the twisted base is visually striking. Pair with a deep pile rug and velvet occasional chair for a pleasing mix of textures.”
Available now at our showroom with 20% off during our Winter Sale. # # # # # # #Browsers Furniture Co#: DAY 9, our penultimate day! Don’t worry though, there are loads more discounts to be found at our three storey showroom in #. Today newbie Aoife has chosen this exquisite # style cocktail chair in a gem coloured shade of #, no explanation needed. Now with 20% off in our Winter Sale. # # # # # # # # #limerickBrowsers Furniture Co#: DAY 8! "There's something timeless about quilting, and to see it on a lamp creates just enough visual interest without overpowering a more classical space," says our Design Assistant Helena, of this substantial table lamp, now with 20% off. Was €469, now €375Browsers Furniture Co shared their product.Large Zebra Framed PrintSee DetailsBrowsers Furniture Co#: DAY 7! Our @neptunehome expert Erika loves the mix of hard wearing # weave with the slender wood legs on this Neptune Antigua armchair, perfect for stylish dining or just on its own. Was €405, now €324, available in 28+ colours, while stock lasts.