Historic Longford gate house up for sale

In this the 225 anniversary of the Battle of Ballinamuck an interesting piece of property is on the market.

"Here lies the body of Hepenstal, judge, jury, gallows and all"

That was the epitaph the people of Granard wrote of 'The Walking Gallows'. A man of huge physique. He fought at the Battle of Ballinamuck in '98, where he hanged great numbers of people by throwing them over his shoulder.

The family Dopping-Hepenstals owned the property that now makes up Derrycassen Woods. In 1929 the Dopping-Hepenstals sold their stately home at Dring to a timber merchant.
Now a period style lakeshore residence with around 10 acres of land is coming to the property market. The property for sale was originally the gate house and main entrance to the Dopping-Heppenstall Estate.

The 'Gate House' was deliberately designed as an architectural introduction to the main residence.
Among its purposes was 'to catch the eye of the traveller' and this decorative property in its enviable setting is still one of the most distinctive homes in the area, in most recent years the property served as Dring Post Office until its closure in 2003.

The dwelling itself has four bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room and a lounge. A kitchen with all fixed appliances and large hallway/utility area are to the back of the home.

The residence has retained its original charm with period features still in place. The conservatory to the front overlooks the mature gardens providing year-round colour and elegance.

The land adjacent to the property, around 10 acres, hugs the shoreline of Lough Gowna and was originally the main entrance to the estate which now hosts the majestic and renowned Derrycassin woods.

The forest covers an area of 179 acres and consists of three recommended walks, the Nature Trail, the Walled Garden Walk and the Main Avenue Walk.

The property has a guide price of €300,000 and is being handled by Eamonn Drake of Drake Auctioneering.