One of the finest estates in west Cork, Liss Ard, near Skibbereen, is expected to make in the region of €6 million when it goes for sale shortly.
The Victorian house on 163 acres was described yesterday by London selling agents FPDSavills as "an outstanding coastal property". In fact it is more than that. A venue for rock concerts in recent years, it is one of the most attractive properties on the south coast, with exotic new gardens designed by its owner, Veith Torske.
Marketed as a "sky garden", the project received funding of some €380,000 from Bord Fáilte. A plan to develop one of the estate houses, the Liss Ard Lake Lodge, into a 56-bedroom hotel has been abandoned now that the estate is on the market.
The lodge is beautifully sited on the edge of the lake and has been used as a private hotel. It has three reception rooms and 12 bedroom suites.
Mr Torske established the controversial Liss Ard Foundation for the arts shortly after moving there in the late 1980s with his wife, Claudia. The couple, who had previously been involved in the international arts scene, opened Liss Ard to artists and film-makers, and with the help of singer Van Morrison set up an annual rock festival. Visitors included Oasis, Pattie Smith, Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry and Robert Plant.
Liss Ard House was built after the famine in 1853 by The O'Donovan, chieftain of the O'Donovan clan, and was sold several times until the Torskes moved there in 1989.
The main house stands over three floors and has four exceptionally fine reception rooms, six bedroom suites and a large conference room and gym.
The estate includes four cottages, two gate lodges and a coach house and yard. There is also a 60-acre lake, home to many birds. It also has prolific fishing.
Who is likely to buy the estate? It will obviously appeal to a number of international artists seeking a bolt-hole in west Cork, where many celebrities have holiday homes. However, the Torskes are adamant that it should not become a golf course like many other estates in Ireland.
The joint agents are C.B. Hamilton Osborne King and Charles McCarthy of Skibbereen.
