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The Cornflake Girl's home will bowl over any would-be buyers

October 29th, 2018 5:50 PM

By Emma Connolly

The dramatic home is owned by the singer/songwriter Tori Amos (inset) who penned the massive international hit, Cornflake Girl.

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THE dramatic Georgian house owned by American singer/songwriter Tori Amos near Kinsale has hit the market  guiding  €1.45m.

 

THE dramatic Georgian house owned by American singer/songwriter Tori Amos near Kinsale has hit the market  guiding  €1.45m.

Complete with stone moat, outdoor theatre, bountiful orchard and Bandon river frontage, Ballywilliam House dates all the way back to 1816. 

Tori, best known for her hit Cornflake Girl, has recorded at the house, and says it ‘breaks her heart’ to let it go but says the ‘magical place needs to find a new owner who can fully live and breathe everything that she has to offer. I will miss her, but will always cherish the memories, both personal and artistic.’

The house is approached by a 2km tree-lined road and  is a five-bay, two-storey-over basement period property. Accommodation comprises four large reception rooms and four large bedrooms. 

Special features include 12-over-12 pane sash windows, while two sides of the house are faced in original handcut weathered slate, which is quite rare. It has been a place that’s seen great creativity and in keeping with all things spooky this week, one author is reputed to have said he could hear ‘echoes of the faintest music, possibly from another century’ which kept him company while writing one of his books there. In 1995, Tori recorded her album Boys for Pele there.  

The extensive two-acre grounds are just as dramatic with a large stone moat surrounding it. Here you’ll find large vaults which were used for coal storage and which are now used for parties and with a smokery at its centre. 

A woodland area boasts a dry stone theatre and fire pit while apple, pear and plum trees pack the orchard. 

Ballywilliam House is for sale with Wilsons Auctions;  see wilsonsauctions.com for more. 

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