Mid-Ulster has underwent something of a renaissance lately, with interest in art, literature and history flourishing particularly with the emergence of the Hill of the O’Neill and the Seamus Heaney Centre.
In the centre of this culturally rich region, the Cookstown district offers more than its fair share of intrigue and beauty - the likes of Tullyhogue Fort and Davagh Forest are testament to that.
And perched majestically in mature lands close to the famous Old Cross of Ardboe and the shores of Lough Neagh is 128 Ardboe Road - effectively a small hamlet that encapsulates everything good about the surrounding area.
A rare and golden opportunity, this historic property is intertwined with the poet referenced above and other illustrious writers, who have had their imagination unlocked by its incomparable mystique and beauty.
A peaceful and secluded retreat from the modern world, the house is surrounded on all sides by a beautiful mature garden of approximately one acre, with many picturesque trees within and on the edge of the garden.
It is laid to lawn with shrubs such as lilac, rhododendron and laurels to add an extra layer of depth and beauty to this already tantalising property which for the first time comes on the market with all its original and gracious features intact.
The main family house is Edwardian (1910) and comprises four bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen and bathroom.
All the rooms have retained their original fireplaces and wooden floors. It hasn’t been modernised which in itself presents opportunity and still remain in good condition.
The second building is a lovely old two-storey stone barn, dating from the 19th century which has full planning permission for conversion. It’s setting is very peaceful with a view of Lough Neagh a few fields away.
The third building on the site is an old cottage which has been granted planning permission to be rebuilt as a replacement dwelling, providing yet another attractive proposition. It also has the scope to have its own garden secluded from the other dwellings, with the exact details on its planning permission documents.
The whole site is about four acres - the house and garden are enclosed by their own fields - ensuring peace and privacy, but there is a friendly local community to cherish.
Behind the property is a fascinating family history. The large family who grew up here includes Barry Devin of Horslips who wrote the drama series shown on BBC1 last year, My Mother and Other Strangers, which was based on his childhood in the house.
The writer Polly Devlin published a memoir of her childhood in her book All Of Us There and Seamus Heaney, who married into the family, wrote the poems Rookery (about the house) and A Lough Neagh Sequence.
128 Ardboe Road would be ideal for an extended family or for use as a holiday letting. Or maybe you want to embrace a slice of its history and let your imagination run wild.
For more information visit www.allens-property.com or call 028 8676 2233.
