Williamstown Court was the manager's house and courtyards of the nearby Williamstown House – built in the 18th century by the Chester family. In 1950, Henry Chester Walsh converted the courtyard and house to what it is today – a charming country house, clad in clematis, Virginia creeper and roses, which rambles to more than 537sq m (5,780 sq ft) . The en tout cas (clay) tennis court reveals the legacy of the alumnae of sportsmen who have called Williamstown Court home.
Henry Chester Walsh, who received an OBE for his diplomatic work, was a keen sportsman and played at Wimbledon, before handing the property to his daughter Annie who was married to Des O’Brien. O’Brien was capped 20 times for Ireland – with his inaugural cap in 1948 at the age of 28, at Ireland’s first of only two Grand Slams.
In addition to managing the Lions Tour in 1966, O’Brien was also a Welsh international hockey player and tennis reserve.
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The current owners purchased the property from the O’Briens 30 years ago and have called Williamstown Court home ever since. “It’s a great entertaining house,” says the current owner. “We discovered a room upstairs had a stage – so it became our party room – where we have hosted over 80 for lunch.”
This room sits alongside a spacious family room with a cosy fireplace at one end and a full-sized billiard table at the other.
A country kitchen sits downstairs beside a study sunroom and lots of service rooms.
The fact that a house of 537sq m only has four bedrooms shows the amount of potential there is to further convert coach houses and stables into guest accommodation. The property also includes a two-storey cottage, which is in need of renovation.
The lands stretch to 30 acres and include some plants brought from India by Molly Chester Walsh in the early 1900s.
“It’s been a happy and hospitable home – busy with humans and horses,” say the current owners who are downsizing to a smaller property.
Williamstown Court is for sale through Savills with an asking price of €875,000.
