Middleton Park House up for sale

One of Westmeath’s most impressive 'big houses’, Middleton Park in Castletown Geoghegan, is up for sale.

Described by real estate agent Savills as a “beautiful regency mansion in the heart of Ireland”, the former seat of the Boyd-Rochforts is currently operating as a three-star country house hotel and wedding venue. The asking price is €950,000.

The property, which is set in 26 acres of gardens and woodland, has 16 en-suite bedrooms. According to the seller, there is potential to add an additional 10 bedrooms within the existing structure.

Whoever purchases Middleton Park House will be getting a building with a colourful history. Built in 1820 and designed by renowned architect George Papwork, for over 130 years Middleton Park was the home of the Boyd-Rochfort family, who distinguished themselves in many fields.

George Arthur Boyd-Rochfort, who was born in the house on New Year’s Day in 1880, won a Victoria Cross for bravery while fighting for the British army in World War I. His brother Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort was the British royal family’s horse trainer from 1920 to 1968.

In 1986, Middleton Park became the focus of intense media interest when its then owner, professional gambler Barney Curley, put it up as a prize in a raffle. Television crews from across the water descended on Castletown-Geoghegan for the raffle, which was carried out by legendary sports broadcaster Micheál O’Hehir. Curley sold over 9,000 tickets at £200 a piece and it reportedly earned him over £1m.

In 2006 current owner Gerard Lynam carried out extensive work on the property and transformed it into one of the most popular wedding venues in the midlands. During the Arctic like weather conditions in December 2010, Middleton Park was in the news again when the Civil Defence were employed to transport marriage registrar Marie Browne to the venue in time for the civil ceremony of Avril and Philip Delamere.

Commenting on the sale, Aaron Spring of Savills said: “This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a successfully trading business with a strong booking pipeline. The hotel, a magnificent property in close proximity to a large population base, is a unique wedding venue with obvious appeal and offers purchasers the potential to grow the business further.”