Ever wondered what lies behind those gates off the Lee Road?

Perched on the riverbank and surrounded by acres of untouched grounds, teeming with wildlife, Millborough House is on the market, allowing the curious among us a sneak peek inside the quirky €1.1m Georgian pile.

And it doesn’t disappoint; with seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a tennis court, a folly and a colourful history dating back to the 1700s, this is a home that is alive with character.

The 13-acre riverside property is accessed via the imposing cast-iron automatic gates (forged on the premises in the 18th century).

Down an avenue, past an old gate lodge, guests are welcomed at the limestone flagstones of the Corinthian columned portico and into the large pine-panelled hallway of the house.

French connection

“The history of families associated with Millboro dates back to the Fitton family who in 1790 are noted as having iron and flour works, mill houses and land there, hence the name of the property.” say the property agents, Woodwards.

“In 1875, Frederick Rohu who had a successful taxidermy and furrier business in Cork, moved to Millboro House with his wife and eight children. He also had a French connection as his father, John Vincent, who was in the Royal Navy, was the son of Bonaventure Rohu who was a wealthy Breton farmer. In 1953, the house was purchased from the Murphy family by Dr Coleman and it is where he and his wife lived and reared their own family in this beautiful setting.”

Oozing with charm and character, the house retains a wealth of period details, from original fireplaces and cornicing to timber panelling and shutters, notably in the hall, drawing and dining rooms.

The drawing-room, panelled in mahogany, is a stately affair, with a period white marble fire surround and solid fuel stove, an ornate cornice ceiling rose and pine window shutters. There’s another Adam-style white marble framed fireplace in the handsome dining room, where the handsome walls have likely seen some raucous dinner parties over the centuries.

The kitchen has a Stanley cooker and terrazzo flooring, while the rear hallway is currently used as a utility area. A little modernisaton would go a long way here, particularly given the trend for old fashioned additions such as walk-in pantries.

The library, with its beamed ceiling, is where you’ll find the staircase to access the 2,000 sq ft annexe extension.

There are four bedrooms upstairs, including the timber panelled master bedroom, which also has an ensuite bathroom. The annexe includes another four bedrooms, two shower rooms, one bathroom and a landing/playroom.

An orangerie overlooks the lawn to the front of the property, with an ornamental pond and fountain and wonderful views of the River Lee.

This is a home that hosted the adventures of countless children down through the years, with woods to explore and trees to climb, a river ‘beach’ for swimming and snorkelling and access for kayaking.

An orchard and terraced gardens lie to the west of the property and there is also a tennis court, an old greenhouse and numerous workshops and storerooms on the property as well as an 840sq ft uncompleted house with a turret tower to the side with potential for renovation or development.

Could your family be the next to fill Millborough’s extensive halls with noise and laughter? Contact Woodwards Auctioneers for further information or to arrange a private viewing.