A FORMER country school nestled in the heart of Mullaghfad is on the market. The quaint building school has been renovated and new owners are being sought for the cottage which has a price tag of £129,950.
Keith Matthews is the current owner of the property on the Mullaghfad Road, outside Brookeborough. Mr Matthews renovated the cottage but said in recent times his family have not had enough spare time to enjoy at the property they used as a holiday home.
Speaking about the history of building he said, “The cottage was originally the Mullaghfad Church of Ireland school house and around the 1900’s there was 70-odd pupils that went to it. How they ever fitted in it I don’t know? Perhaps they weren’t all there at once.
“After that a local character lived in it and it was supposedly a poitin house in the area. The guy that lived in it used to keep a donkey in the front room, locals would have went passed and the donkey would have been hanging out the window. I’m told he made poteen and when I was renovating the house I found parts of the old stills in the barn.”
Mr Matthews added that the story goes that one night he forgot to switch the thing off and “blew the roof off the place”.
Explaining the inspiration behind the name ‘Fallow Lodge’ he said, “One of the first mornings when we were renovating it I came down and there was a herd of Fallow just standing outside the house having a look to see who had moved in.”
Suzanne Lucas from Estate Agent Maison said she would expect the property to appeal to someone who likes country life.
“I would expect it would be suitable for someone interested in a secluded countryside property which has a wee bit of character. A lot of quality fixtures and fittings have been added throughout giving it a nice modern twist. It would be perfect as a holiday home or for a couple looking for a nice spot to retire.”
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