After prices plummeted in the recession, country estates are back in demand among both domestic and overseas buyers
On the west coast of Ireland, nestled on the shore of Clew Bay in Mayo, is the kind of stately home that buyers will pay a premium for: a waterside property with architectural provenance and a rich history.
Westport House has been home to the Browne family, descendants of the Gaelic chieftain Grace O’Malley, since the 17th century. Its 455 acres include a lake, campsite and even a pirate adventure park. Yet despite drawing 160,000 visitors last year, the owners have struggled to maintain Westport House since it opened to the public in 1960. A loan of €6.5m obtained by the late Lord Altamont to invest in the property was acquired by Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency in 2010, and has now forced Westport to be put up for sale, priced at €10m through Ganly Walters… (View original article)