Home Truths

Both Jane and husband John were brought up in country houses very similar to this one, John in County Kilkenny and Jane in neighbouring County Waterford, and having lived in Dublin where John’s business is based for fifteen years, they were hankering to return to their roots.

We had always planned to move back to a country house as soon as the girls were old enough to go to college,’ says Jane. ‘So we just kept an eye out to see what was on the market. We were looking for something that wasn’t too large or too isolated; we have become accustomed to an urban lifestyle and wanted still to be able to walk to the shops. We also wanted a traditional Victorian walled garden, so that we could become as self-sufficient as possible in growing our own food.’ This former estate manager’s home on the Wandesforde estate in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny was perfect, but it was just a little too early. ‘Sophie and Simone are still in school, which means we will be remaining in Dublin for a few more years,’ says Jane.

Read more in the March issue…