Emmel Castle, Emmel, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary

€995,000

4 Bed~3 Bath~662 m²

What you'll like:

Historic medieval architecture: The property includes an authentic 15th-century tower house built by the OCarroll Clan, offering exceptional character and rare historical depth that appeals to heritage enthusiasts.
Expansive floor area: Spanning an impressive 662 square meters, the residence provides vast interior spaces including multiple grand reception rooms, a music room, and an art studio for versatile living.
Private woodland setting: Set within approximately 20 acres of private woodlands and gardens, the estate ensures total seclusion, natural beauty, and a peaceful rural lifestyle in the Irish Midlands.
Substantial guest capacity: Featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the combined tower house and 17th-century country house layout easily accommodates family members and visiting guests in historic comfort.
Strategic regional location: Situated only ten minutes from Cloughjordan and within a convenient one-and-a-half-hour drive of Dublin, the estate balances rural seclusion with reasonable regional accessibility.

Panoramic rooftop views: The ninety-foot battlements provide sweeping vantage points across multiple surrounding counties, offering a truly breathtaking experience unique to fortified historic Irish properties.
Authentic period features: Retained architectural elements such as inglenook fireplaces, beamed ceilings, original shutters, and ornate plasterwork preserve the genuine heritage atmosphere throughout the primary living areas.
Versatile outbuilding potential: The historic stone and brick outbuildings feature slate roofs and courtyard access, offering excellent conversion potential into independent guest houses or studios subject to planning.
Enclosed walled garden: A dedicated south-west facing walled garden and orchard provide a sheltered, picturesque space for outdoor relaxation, horticulture, and private entertaining within the estate grounds.
Dual structural charm: The harmonious combination of a medieval fortification and a graceful 17th-century Georgian-influenced country house delivers a fascinating architectural timeline within a single residential holding.
Functional modern heating: Equipped with two oil-fired boilers in a dedicated plant room and solid fuel stoves, the estate ensures capable climate control despite its ancient stone construction.
Generous banquet hall: The expansive lower ground floor banquet hall features a large inglenook fireplace, making it a dramatic and highly atmospheric venue for hosting large gatherings and formal dinners.
Dedicated utility spaces: Practical additions like a boot room, pantry, laundry room, and a country-style kitchen with a double Belfast sink ensure everyday domestic convenience complements the historic grandeur.
Equestrian and leisure opportunities: The surrounding scenic countryside provides an ideal landscape for outdoor pursuits including hiking, shooting, fishing, and equestrian activities right from your doorstep.
Secure gated entrance: Impressive ashlar gate piers with carved caps and sweeping boundary walls establish a grand, secure arrival experience that enhances the estate's private and exclusive feel.
Natural water supply: A private bore well supplies the estate with water, offering independence from municipal utility connections and reducing ongoing local water service dependency for the owner.
Artistic studio spaces: Dedicated rooms such as the top-floor art studio and music room with vaulted ceilings provide inspiring, light-filled environments for creative pursuits, hobbies, or quiet contemplation.
Distinctive period fenestration: Original timber sash windows, latticed windows, and stained-glass accents highlight exceptional craftsmanship, flooding the historic rooms with natural light while maintaining period authenticity.
Robust stone construction: Thick medieval and Georgian masonry provides exceptional thermal mass, sound insulation, and long-lasting structural durability that has already stood the test of centuries.
Rare market availability: Properties of this specific historical caliber and acreage rarely appear on the open market, representing a prestigious acquisition opportunity for dedicated architectural preservationists.

But keep in mind:

Listed monument restrictions: As a recorded national monument, the property may be subject to strict heritage regulations that limit your ability to alter, renovate, or modernize the historic structures.
Exempt energy rating: While technically BER exempt due to its protected historic status, the buyer should investigate potential thermal inefficiencies, drafts, and high heating costs in ancient stone buildings.
Private septic compliance: Wastewater is managed via an on-site septic tank, which the buyer should inspect to ensure it meets current environmental standards and local regulatory compliance codes.
Substantial maintenance costs: Maintaining a 15th-century tower house and extensive stone outbuildings requires specialized conservation craftsmanship, which can generate exceptionally high ongoing repair and upkeep expenses.
Private well dependency: Relying on a private bore well means the buyer must verify water potability, pump reliability, and seasonal flow rates to ensure a dependable everyday household water supply.

Challenging vertical layout: Spread across multiple stories with winding stone stair turrets, the property may present mobility challenges for elderly residents or daily logistics like moving heavy furniture.
Insulation and damp challenges: Historic stone walls lacking cavity insulation can be prone to rising damp, condensation, and heat loss, requiring careful environmental monitoring and specialized upkeep.
High insurance premiums: Insuring a historic, non-standard castle property against fire and structural damage can be significantly more expensive than standard residential policies, requiring specialist quotes.
Extensive renovation requirements: While habitable, parts of the expansive estate may require significant capital investment to upgrade electrical, plumbing, and roofing systems to contemporary living standards.
Remote rural isolation: Being tucked deep within the midlands means emergency response times, specialized contractor availability, and daily commuting for amenities require careful logistical consideration.
Outbuilding structural condition: The buyer should carefully investigate the structural integrity of the 1883 stone and brick outbuildings before planning any costly conversions into residential annexes.
Complex security management: Securing and monitoring a 20-acre historic estate with multiple detached buildings requires an advanced security system and vigilant property management when unoccupied.
Chimney and flue safety: Multiple historic open fireplaces and inglenook chimneys require thorough professional inspection and sweeping to ensure safe operation and prevent potential fire hazards.
Boundary and land upkeep: Managing 20 acres of private woodlands, gardens, and courtyards demands substantial time, heavy equipment, and ongoing labor to prevent overgrowth and maintain pathways.
Plumbing system complexity: Integrating modern bathrooms and utility rooms into an ancient structural framework can result in complex pipe runs and potential vulnerability to winter pipe freezing.
Limited local amenities: Being ten minutes from the nearest small town means major shopping, specialized healthcare, and secondary transport hubs require further travel into larger regional centers.
Uncertain planning precedent: Converting historic outbuildings for commercial or residential rental use will be subject to strict local planning permission, which the buyer should investigate thoroughly.
Pest and wildlife management: Historic woodland estates are naturally susceptible to wood-boring insects, rodents, and other wildlife infiltrating ancient masonry and timber roof structures over time.
Acoustic and echo issues: The vast stone halls, vaulted ceilings, and hardwood floors may create significant acoustic reverberation, requiring carpets or furnishings to dampen household noise levels.
Specialized contractor scarcity: Finding skilled craftspeople experienced in lime mortar, stone masonry, and historic slate roofing in rural Tipperary may complicate necessary maintenance and repair projects.

Price positioning

This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.

Not enough reliable market evidence is available to position this asking price.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

The property is a historic estate comprising a 15th-century Tower House and a 17th-century Country House, and is noted as a Listed National Monument (SMR).
Given its protected historic status, a buyer should investigate any restrictions on alterations, maintenance, or restoration works required by the National Monuments Service or local planning authorities.
Services include a private bore well and a septic tank; a buyer should verify the condition, capacity, and regulatory compliance of these private utility systems.
The presence of historic stone outbuildings offers potential for conversion, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permissions and heritage consents.
As the property features thick stone walls, multiple historic chimneys, timber sash windows, and battlements, a specialist structural and conservation survey is essential to check for damp, timber rot, roof integrity, and masonry degradation.

Heating cost^*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

Estimated annual heating cost: €6,000 to €10,000+
Given the very large floor area of 662 m², solid stone construction of a 15th-century tower house and 17th-century country house, and reliance on oil-fired central heating with dual oil burners, heating costs are expected to be exceptionally high and should be verified by the buyer.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

The property is situated in a deeply rural woodland setting in the Irish Midlands, far removed from major heavy industrial zones, major waste incinerators, or modern commercial landfills.
Buyers should verify historical local land uses and legacy agricultural storage practices during standard property surveys to ensure complete peace of mind regarding local environmental factors.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

The estate sits on elevated private woodlands and gardens surrounding a historic tower house, suggesting a low general likelihood of structural flooding for the main buildings.
Given the rural and natural water features typical of large Irish estates, prospective buyers should review local OPW flood maps and conduct standard drainage surveys.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

No verified results were found for this group in the previous five years.

Recent sales in the wider Cloughjordan area

MAIN ST, CLOUGHJORDAN, ROSCREA
Sale date
21/07/2026
Declared sale price
€320,000.00
MAIN ST, CLOUGHJORDAN, TIPPERARY
Sale date
10/07/2026
Declared sale price
€150,000.00
26 MCDONAGH AVE, CLOUGHJORDAN, CO TIPPERARY
Sale date
02/07/2026
Declared sale price
€260,000.00
MAIN ST, CLOUGHJORDAN, TIPPERARY
Sale date
31/03/2026
Declared sale price
€80,000.00
26 TOWNFIELDS, CLOUGHJORDAN, CO TIPPERARY
Sale date
15/01/2026
Declared sale price
€233,000.00

Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR).

Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.

Last Sale

A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property

No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.

Buyer fees^*

Associated expenses guide

Stamp duty: Approximately €99,500 based on the 10% non-residential rate or standard residential rates depending on classification, assuming commercial/residential mix requires verification.
Solicitor legal fees: Estimated between €3,000 and €6,000 plus VAT and outlays.
Land registration fees: Approximately €600 to €800 depending on the property value registration tiers.
Property valuation fees: Around €300 to €500 for a standard residential valuation, though specialized historic property assessments may cost more.
Surveyor fees: Estimated between €1,500 and €3,500 due to the large 662 m² size and historic nature of the castle and country house structures.
Annual home insurance: Varies significantly for historic and listed buildings, potentially ranging from €3,000 to €6,000+ per year and should be investigated thoroughly.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

Locals and historians frequently discuss Emmel Castle as one of the standout historic architectural landmarks in the region, noting its rare combination of a 15th-century tower house and a 17th-century country house.
Residents in the wider Cloughjordan and Offaly rural areas often highlight the strong sense of community, eco-village initiatives nearby, and the peaceful rural lifestyle.
Property enthusiasts on forums frequently debate the high costs and specialist conservation expertise required to maintain and restore protected historic structures like Listed National Monuments.
Discussions regarding the local property market indicate that large rural estates and historic castles have niche appeal, often attracting international buyers or heritage enthusiasts.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas

Young Children
The sprawling historic estate with heights, battlements, and open bodies of water nearby requires constant supervision for young children.
4/10
Teenagers
Teens may appreciate the immense scale, unique architecture, and private grounds, though the rural location limits independent access to amenities.
5/10
Multi-generational Living
Featuring a combination of a Tower House and a Country House, plus outbuildings suitable for conversion, it offers fantastic potential for extended family living.
9/10
Single Buyers
A 662 square meter historic castle on 20 acres is far too vast and costly for a single occupant to maintain alone.
2/10
Couples
Provides a magnificent, romantic, and historic retreat for couples who love heritage properties and grand entertaining.
7/10
Empty Nesters
Offers incredible space for hosting visiting family, though the upkeep of a 15th-century castle and 20 acres is a substantial commitment.
6/10
Retirees
While scenic and peaceful, multiple floors with steep stairs and extensive grounds present significant long-term mobility and maintenance challenges.
5/10

Work

3 areas

Remote Working
Broadband is connected, and impressive spaces like the art studio or music room offer inspiring home office environments.
7/10
Hybrid Commuting
Dublin is 1.5 hours away and Galway/Shannon are roughly 1 hour away, making regular commuting quite demanding.
3/10
Retired
An idyllic, peaceful haven for retirees who want a historic project and grand living quarters, provided they budget for estate upkeep.
7/10

Practical

8 areas

Ageing in Place
Multiple historic levels, spiral stone turrets, and lack of modern ground-floor accessibility make ageing in place very challenging.
2/10
Low Maintenance
A 15th-century tower house and 17th-century country house on 20 acres require specialized, intensive, and ongoing maintenance.
1/10
Secure Gated Entry
Features ashlar gate piers with carved caps, sweeping boundary walls, and a courtyard accessed by wrought iron gates.
9/10
Minimalist Design
Maximalist historical character dominates, featuring period fireplaces, stone walls, elaborate ceiling plasterwork, and medieval architecture.
1/10
Flexible Floor Plans
Spans multiple distinct buildings and numerous large rooms, offering diverse spaces though restricted by historical layouts.
6/10
Heritage Home
The ultimate heritage property—a harmonious blend of a 15th-century Tower House and a 17th-century Country House rich in historical significance.
10/10
Ecological Setup
Encompasses 20 acres of private woodlands, a walled orchard, and a private bore well, though energy efficiency requires verification due to its age.
7/10
Outdoor areas
Magnificent private grounds featuring 20 acres of woodlands, lawns, a walled garden/orchard, courtyards, and historic stone outbuildings.
10/10

Interests

9 areas

Gardening
Features a walled garden, orchard, courtyards, and 20 acres of private grounds perfect for dedicated horticulturalists.
9/10
Walking
Abundant private woodland paths on-site and scenic walking trails in the surrounding Tipperary and Offaly countryside.
9/10
Gym
There are no commercial fitness facilities on-site or immediately nearby, requiring a home gym setup.
2/10
Cycling
Quiet local rural roads offer pleasant cycling routes, though the immediate estate terrain is rugged.
7/10
Golf
Regional golf courses can be reached within a reasonable drive, though none are directly adjacent.
5/10
Fishing
The wider region is renowned for excellent country pursuits, including local fishing opportunities.
8/10
Horse Riding
The extensive acreage, outbuildings, and traditional equestrian-friendly rural setting make this ideal for horse owners.
9/10
Water Sports
Water sports are noted as accessible in the wider region, with lakes and rivers within driving distance.
6/10
Entertaining
With a grand banquet hall, historic reception rooms, a music room, and vast grounds, this property is custom-built for spectacular hosting.
10/10

Lifestyle

5 areas

Quiet Living
Tucked deep within private woodlands in the Irish Midlands, the property guarantees ultimate peace and seclusion.
10/10
Rural Living
Set on approximately 20 acres of private woodlands and gardens surrounded by countryside and scenic charm.
10/10
Village Living
Located about 10 minutes from Cloughjordan, providing reasonable access to local shops and community life.
6/10
Coastal Living
Located deep inland in County Tipperary/Offaly, far away from any coastal areas.
1/10
Urban Living
Positioned in a deeply rural historic estate setting with no urban conveniences nearby.
1/10

6 areas

Community Involvement
Proximity to Cloughjordan allows for local community engagement, though the estate itself is quite isolated.
6/10
Café Culture
Limited local café options nearby; a trip into nearby towns is required for a thriving café scene.
4/10
Nightlife
Traditional local pubs and music venues exist, but broader nightlife is sparse in this deeply rural setting.
2/10
Health/Wellness groups
Formal wellness classes and groups will generally require traveling to larger surrounding towns.
3/10
Networking Opportunities
Not suited for professional networking due to its remote, countryside location.
2/10
Tech-Hub Connectivity
While broadband is available, tech hubs are located hours away in major cities like Dublin or Galway.
3/10

Listing information

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald Talbot
Phone: 067 31496
Published on HouseDelve: 4 September 2026
Correction: Report an issue

Property reference: HD-FACAB7HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.