Kingston House, Kingston House, Clonminch Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Steeped in local heritage and history, this two-storey Edwardian house was originally built for the Williams family, renowned for their role in developing Tullamore Dew into one of the world's best-known whiskey brands. Constructed in 1909, the current owners have brought the house into the 21st Century with numerous upgrades and improvements, including the addition of triple glazing to the majority of windows, quality timber flooring and tiling, and well-appointed bathrooms with contemporary style fittings and sanitary ware. In completing these works, they have done an outstanding job in sensitively restoring and maintaining the property's original character, while ensuring all of its modern features are firmly in keeping with its Edwardian past. Examples of the care they have taken include several feature fireplaces, solid timber floors, louvre-doored wardrobes, ceiling coving, a modern kitchen in period style with oil-burning Aga range and beautifully presented reception rooms that could be straight out of the hit TV series Downtown Abbey. In pristine condition and recently redecorated throughout, the majority of rooms have been painted or wallpapered in tasteful sympathy with the property's rich past. Named after its early 20th Century builder, Kingston House also retains many original period features. These include a pitched slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, rendered quoins, plinths, chimney stacks and, most strikingly, high ceilings and canted bays with full-height windows that are characteristic of the era in which it was built. Located a five-minute walk from Tullamore town centre, the property is set back from the street within its own grounds, bounded by rendered walls, piers and a timber gate access. Following its original construction, Kingston House was enlarged over the years with the addition of a two-bay, three-storey extension, a conservatory and a further extension to the rear. There's also an outbuilding, which has been converted to a three-bay garage. The property is listed under its former name of Auburn House on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which describes it as an extensive house that "retains much character, mainly due to the full-height bays seen on its façade and south-east elevation." The Willams family played a prominent role in the early success of Tullamore Dew in the 19th Century, with the famous whiskey taking its name from the initials of Daniel E. Williams, the general manager and later owner of the original distillery. Edmund Williams (1928-2007), a grandson of Daniel E. Williams, was the last member of the Williams family to live in the house. Following the opening of a new distillery in the town in 2014, Tullamore Dew is today a globally recognised brand. Notwithstanding its rich heritage, the house is not subject to a preservation order which, subject to planning, provides a new owner with greater scope to carry out additional renovations and improvements. The property located within its own extensive grounds, set well back from road to maximise privacy. Striking exterior with walls covered in eye-catching Virginia creeper. Exceptionally large tarmac drive at front of house, providing ample parking for several cars. Three-bay garage to rear of (and separate from) house, providing covered parking. Second tarmac drive at rear of house, leading to garage. Extensive lawn to side of house, with feature sculpture. Mature, house height trees along boundary of grounds, enhancing privacy. Raised sun deck with storage underneath off kitchen-diner. The property is located in a mature area on the southern side of Tullamore, five minutes' walk from the town centre and close to a wide choice of local shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, schools, sports amenities and other services. It is within easy reach of a selection of well-regarded local schools, including Tullamore Educate Together NS, St. Joseph's NS, St. Philomena''s NS, Scoil Mhuire, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Charleville NS, Gaelscoil, Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore College, Offaly School of Special Education, an Eiscir Riada, Scoil Naomh Colmcille and Scoil Eoin Phoil. Pre-school services in the town include Grovelands Childcare and Little Treasures Montessori School. The area is blessed with a wealth of outdoor and sporting amenities with wide-ranging appeal, including golf, GAA, soccer, rugby, fishing, athletics, fishing, mountain biking and trail walking. Nearby golf courses include Esker Hills, Birr and Tullamore. Opened in 2017, Offaly GAA's Faithful Fields Centre of Excellence in Kilcormac has four full-sized floodlit pitches, a top-of-the-range gym, an all-weather ball wall, and other facilities. Based at nearby Spollanstown, Tullamore Harriers is a long established local athletics club with an array of facilities including Olympic standard track, a grass and tarmacadam running track, a fully equipped gym and a popular social club. Lough Boora Discovery Park offers outdoor activities for all ages including fishing, cycling, trail walking, bird watching, picnic areas and even a fairy trail. Other popular nearby attractions include Charleville, Kinnitty and Birr castles, Tullamore Town Park, the Clara Bog Conservation Area and whiskey distillery visitor centres in both Tullamore and Kilbeggan. Located a short drive from the inter-county boundary with neighbouring Laois, other nearby towns include Clara, Birr, Portlaoise, Edenderry and Mullingar. Thanks to its proximity via Kilbeggan to the M6 motorway, Tullamore is less than 90 minutes' drive from Dublin city centre and just 80 minutes from Dublin Airport via the M4. To the west, the M6 provides rapid access to Athlone (39 minutes), Galway (95 minutes) and Limerick (two hours). The property is a short stroll from Tullamore railway station, from where an hourly train service brings passengers to Dublin in less than 60 minutes. Viewing of Kingston House is by appointment only with sole selling agents DNG Kelly Duncan who can be contacted on 057-93-25050. Entrance Hall 3.18m x 2.50m. Leading to inner hallway: Exterior porch with ceiling height aluminium framed windows, tiled floor, timber panelled ceiling with recessed lights. Hallway 5.42m x 1.84m. Internal glass door connecting from entrance hall, solid timber floor, high ceiling with decorative coving, ornate radiator, dado rail, stairs up to first floor, stairs leading down to wine cellar and understairs storage. Sitting Room 7.08m x 4.06m. Dual aspect with high ceiling with decorative coving, feature bay windows overlooking grounds, side window and external door connecting door to conservatory, feature fireplace with marble mantelpiece, tiled surround and hearth, and open grate, carpeted floor, curtain pole. Conservatory 6.50m x 2.65m. Extensive aluminium framed windows overlooking lawn, Liscannor stone floor, built-in seating, fixed wall lights, glass panel door leading to side lawns. Living/Dining Room 8.20m x 5.54m. High ceiling with decorative coving two feature canted bays with ceiling-height windows, overlooking grounds, feature fireplace, stone surround and hearth, large ceiling rose, solid timber herringbone floor with border, three ornate radiators, side door opens to raised pathways and gardens. Drawing Room 5.10m x 4.14m. High ceiling with decorative coving, feature bay with ceiling-height windows, overlooking grounds, feature fireplace with carved timber mantelpiece, tiled surround and hearth and open grate, laminate timber floor, period wallpaper, built-in bookshelves with glass door and under-shelf storage press, ornate radiator. Kitchen Dining Room 6.34m x 4.68m. Dual aspect open-plan kitchen/dining with extensive, contemporary fitted kitchen with eye-level and wall-mounted period style cabinetry, storage drawers and integrated appliances, extensive contrasting granite countertop space with Belfast sink, splashbacks and ceiling height wall tiling, coffered ceiling with spotlights and hanging lights, slate grey tiled floor, centre island unit with additional storage, countertop space and breakfast bar, feature oil-burning Aga range with fixed display shelf over. Timber panelled ceiling with hanging over-table light in dining area, double glass doors leading to raised outside sun deck. Play Room 7.00m x 4.12m. High ceiling, herringbone laminate timber floor, half flight of stairs leading to connecting door to hallway with understairs storage, dado rail, in-wall display shelf, fixed hanging lights, glass panel door leads to utility room. Utility Room 2.90m x 4.12m. Tiled floor, plumbed for washing machine, wash hand basin, sloped ceiling with roof light window, rear door. Toilet 2.40m x 1.20m. Tiled floor and toilet. Guest Toilet & Wash Room 3.40m x 1.38. Toilet with own-door access, separate area with wash hand basin, tiled floor and picture light. Landing 4.35m x 1.82m. High ceiling with hanging light, solid timber floor, dado rail, stairs to second floor, airing cupboard off. Master Bedroom 5.50m x 4.10m. High ceiling with coving, picture rail & dado rail, feature bay window overlooking grounds, feature fireplace with three-quarter wall height mantelpiece, tiled surround and enclosed open grate, solid timber floor. two radiators. Dressing Room 5.40m x 4.86m. L-shaped space off master bedroom, large, dual aspect windows overlooking grounds, extensive wardrobe louvre doors, floor-to-ceiling wardrobe running the full length of two walls, dressing table area with fixed overhead light, carpeted, door to roof balcony. Ensuite Bathroom/Bathroom 4.45m x 1.45m. Jack & Jill type arrangement off master bed and landing with original Royal Doulton Canopy / Shower & roll top cast iron bath, wash hand basin and medicine cabinet, heated towel rail, full-wall tiling, including mirrored tiles, tiled floor and opaque window. Bedroom 2 5.12m 4.30m. Front aspect with ensuite bathroom off, high ceiling, feature bay window overlooking grounds, feature fireplace with timber mantelpiece, tiled surround and hearth, and enclosed grate, solid timber floor, picture rail, ornate radiator. Ensuite Bathroom 1.88m x 1.80m. Jack & Jill type arrangement with tiled floor and half tiled walls, electric power shower, wash hand basin, shavers light and toilet, globe light, attic access. Bedroom 3 4.20m x 3.90m. Front aspect with feature bay window, solid timber floor, ornate radiator, picture rail and wash hand basin. Bedroom 4 4.20m x 3.10m. Overlooking the side gardens with wide plank solid timber floor, picture rail, radiator and feature fireplace. Bedroom 5 4.40m x 4.20m. High ceiling with coving and picture rail, feature bay windows overlooking side gardens, feature fireplace with timber mantelpiece, tiled surround and hearth, and enclosed grate, solid timber floor & ornate radiator. Bedroom 6 4.10m x 3.30m. Located on the return floor, solid timber floor, roof lights, feature fireplace, bedside wall lights. Bathroom 3.30m x 2.90. Again located on the return floor with tiled floor and wet areas, wash hand basin with medicine cabinet, bath with shower screen and electric pump shower, globe light and window. Toilet (return floor) 1.84m x 0.90m. Tiled floor, toilet, globe light and window. Bedroom 7 4.84m x 4.16m. With views out over the side gardens and complete with solid timber floor, ceiling coving, wash hand basin, shavers light and ornate radiator. Bedroom 8 4.84m x 4.16m. Again with views out over the side gardens from the second floor, complete with solid timber floors, ceiling coving, ornate radiator, was hand basin and shavers light. DIRECTIONS: Simply enter the Eircode R35YW74 into Google Maps on your smartphone for accurate directions.