Location: County Limerick, Ireland
Price: €6.5 million (about $7.26 million) Behind this castle’s ivy-covered walls lies a centuries-old legacy. The former fortress, which sits on 380 acres overlooking the Shannon Estuary, has belonged to the same family for 700 years. Built by an order known as the Knights of Glin — a title that dates back to the 13th century — the castle is the ancestral home of the FitzGerald family. Desmond FitzGerald, the last individual to hold the title Knight of Glin, died about five years ago, prompting the family to put the estate up for sale. Castles don’t come onto the market very often in Ireland, according to listing agent Roseanne De Vere Hunt of Sherry FitzGerald, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. And when they do? “They’re very rarely in this good of a condition,” she said. The Basics The 20,550-square-foot castle has 20 bedrooms, plus gate and guest lodges that provide additional accommodations. A Handsome Restoration The family spent €2.3 million to refurbish the castle from 2006 to 2009, according to De Vere Hunt. While the furnishings aren’t included in the sales price, they are available for an additional €2.35 million (about $2.63 million). A Not-So-Secret Garden The estate includes 23 acres of gardens referred to as the “pleasure grounds.” The remaining acreage encompasses woodlands and pastures. The property features a dairy farm that is run as a commercial enterprise. “The owners...have a partnership with a local farmer,” said De Vere Hunt. “He milks the cows and they share the profits.” Celebrity Cachet Catherine Fitzgerald — one of Desmond FitzGerald’s three daughters — is married to actor Dominic West, known for his roles on The Affair, The Wire and The Hour. The Fitzgeralds previously rented the castle to Mick Jagger. Discovering Their Roots The castle has seen considerable interest from American buyers. “Many are second- or third-generation Irish who are looking to own a piece of Irish soil,” De Vere Hunt said. Neighborhood Notes The property is located on the periphery of Glin, a village about an hour’s drive from Limerick’s city center and Shannon International airport. Agent: Roseanne De Vere Hunt of Sherry FitzGerald, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate View the full listing.
Write to Gina Faridniya at gina.faridniya@dowjones.com