Quintin Castle Portaferry u County Down u Northern Ireland
Quintin Castle Portaferry, Co. Down A beautifully restored castle, with Norman origins, rising dramatically from the sea coast with spectacular views to the Irish sea and the surrounding coastline. For Sale by Private Treaty On the Instruction of the Joint Fixed Charge Receiver On c.22 Acres (c. 9.2 Hectares) Reception Hall u Drawing Room u Dining Room u Library u Study Billiards Room u Kitchen u Breakfast Room u Family Room 7 Ensuite Bedrooms u 4 Bedroom Suites u 2 Bedroom Guest Annex Private Jetty u Roof Terrace u Formal Gardens in Terraces u Walled Garden Stone Turrets u Gazebo u 2 Paddocks Portaferry 3 miles, Belfast 32 miles, Belfast City Airport 30 miles, Belfast International Airport 50 miles, Dublin International Airport 103 miles, Dublin City 110 Miles. (Distances are approximate)
Historical Note A castle has stood on the present site since 1184 when John de Courcy, a Norman settler, built the ancient central tower which formed a protection and vantage point on the Ards Peninsula. The castle was later occupied by the Savage family who were granted vast tracts of land in Down and Antrim as one of De Courcy s faithful Knights. For a brief period in Queen Elizabeth s reign Quintin Castle was called Smith s Castle after the family occupying the castle and Elizabeth sent over 5 to fortify the castle and have outer walls built. In the 17th century Sir James Montgomery, then living at Rosemount, Greyabbey purchased the Quintin Estate from Dulaltaigh Smith. His son, William, built a walled courtyard and other smaller towers, a large house adjacent to the central tower and a great kitchen to the seaward side of the castle structure. He then re-roofed the castle and added new floors, all probably before 1659. In the early 19th century the castle was inherited by Elizabeth Calvert (née Blacker) and restored in 1850. The central keep was raised, a walkway made within the battlements, a drawing room opened into the inner gardens and a dining room constructed on the lowest floor of the great tower. Most of the grounds were also enclosed by a massive stone wall. Since then the castle passed to various different owners. The King-Halls, who inherited the castle in 1921, created magnificent formal gardens which were especially notable. In 2002 a significant investment was made to restore the castle to it former glory and in 2006 another considerable investment was made on the neglected Victorian gardens which are now magnificently returned to their former glory.
Quintin Castle Rising dramatically from the Irish sea coast Quintin Castle is one of the finest properties in County Down. The imposing stone built castle is approached through a charming folly gateway of tall octagonal crenellated towers, decorated with arrow tops surrounding timber portcullis style gates. A narrow tree lined avenue leads to a gated courtyard at the front the castle enclosed by high castellated stone walls. The castle has both excellent formal rooms and beautiful entertaining rooms, coupled with a comfortable family atmosphere. The magnificent rooms at the castle, which have been tastefully restored, are bright, well proportioned and showcase fantastic period features; with the majority benefiting from the spectacular views out enormous windows to the sea, bay and beautiful gardens. The castle is built of slit stone rubble, random laid, horizontally, except the western and southern facades which have been coated in rendering, with cut stone trim. The central tower is surrounded by four smaller ones at the corners, all with stepped castellations and walls to match. Parallel to the sea run three stepped terraces and hanging gardens on castellated walls and at the end of one is a small octagonal tower overlooking the sea.
Accommodation One enters Quintin Castle through heavy oak double doors to the hallway with carved oak staircase with iron insets leading to the first floor; which is complemented by a glass ceiling flooding light on the stairs and the upper landing. The long hallway provides access to all ground floor rooms which comprises a library, drawing room, dining room with panelled oak walls and vaulted ceiling. A secret door from the dining room leads to the breakfast room, which is also accessed from the hall along with the kitchen and connecting family room. All these rooms have spectacular views to the sea, bay and surrounding gardens and terraces. Situated at the northern end of the entrance hall is a large billiard room or games room and a study. The first floor contains seven ensuite bedrooms, four of which are laid out as guest-suites with their own sitting rooms and open fires. One suite is laid out over three floors, situated in the main tower and contains a dressing room with a range of built-in wardrobes. All bedrooms have views over the manicured gardens or the jagged coastline and seascape. The master bedroom has the added benefit of a private and sheltered roof terrace taking advantage of the unique views. A separate guest/staff annex located at the northern end of the castle is laid out over three floors and contains a large open-plan kitchen/living room, two bedrooms and a large bathroom. The annex can be accessed from outside and also from the kitchen in the main body of the castle.
Gardens In the early part of the 20th Century Quintin Castle gardens were renowned for their beauty. Restoration began on the castle gardens in 2006 to bring the gardens back to their former glory, this work was completed in recent years. To the front of the castle are beautifully manicured lawns with mature trees and shrubs. However the real beauty is to be found on the stepped terraces and walled gardens on either side and to the front of the castle. The front terrace comprises four square fountains which surround four grass areas and a central fountain. To the side of this is a large planted area with box heading and an abundance of shrubs and plants. An arched gateway leads to the three Victorian terraced hanging gardens which comprise of lawns, shrubs and gravel walkways. On the northern side of the castle is a walled garden with four planted areas surrounding a unique copper fountain. The gardens come with several patio areas which take advantage of the spectacular sea views and sunlight during the summer months.
Quintin Castle Total approximate area c.10,620 sq ft (c.987 sq m) Ground Floor Second Floor Third Floor First Floor Annex- Second Floor Reception Rooms / Living and Circulation Areas Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms Storage Not to Scale These plans are for illustrative and guidance purposes only.
Location Quintin Castle is situated at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, which separates Strangford Lough from the Irish Sea, and is renowned for it scenic beauty and wildlife as well as award winning restaurants, intimate cafes, pubs and fine foods. There is also an abundance of things to do in the area including walks, historic sites, craft centres and art galleries. For those interested in fishing and boating they could not be better situated with numerous fishing sites close by and several yacht clubs. Portaferry, the closest town, will cater for all day to day requirements. For further shopping Newtownards and Bangor are a mere 30 minutes drive, while Belfast is just under an hour away. The Portaferry - Strangford ferry service is just a five minute drive away. Directions From Belfast take the A20/Newtownards Road. Continue for 8 miles to Newtownards. At the first roundabout take the 3rd exit, continue straight through the next 3 roundabouts, at the 4th roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A20/Portaferry Road. Continue for 17.6 miles until you reach Portaferry. Take the first left onto Demesne View, continuing straight on to the Ballyphillip Road, after approximately ½ a mile take a left on to the Ballyblack Road after approx 1.5 miles turn right onto the Craigarodden Road and continue for ½ mile, then turn left on to Kearney Road. The entrance to Quintin Castle is the second entrance situated on the right hand side. Photography: Gary Quigg Photography - www.garyquigg.com Quintin Castle +353 (0)1 662 3255 Robert Ganly/ Charles Erwin 8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4 robert.ganly@ie.knightfrank.com charles.erwin@ie.knightfrank.com www.knightfrank.ie Important notice Knight Frank Ltd for themselves and for the Vendors of this property whose agents they are give notice that: 1. Receipt of these particulars implies an obligation to conduct all negotiations through this company only 2. The contents shall not be construed to form that basis of any contract. For Sale through Joint Agents +44 28 9066 3030/ +44 28 9145 1166 Beth Robinson/ John Todd Templeton Robinson, 563 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GQ bethrobinson@templetonrobinson.com johntodd@templetonrobinson.com www.templetonrobinson.com 3. Whilst every care is taken in their preparation, the company will not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracies contained therein. 4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intending purchasers in inspecting properties, which have been sold, let or withdrawn.