Big house large price

IF the devil is in the detail, then this house at Ballyanrahan West in Patrickswell, Co Limerick, is well on the road to perdition - by way of the Adare Bypass.

Recently built of cut-limestone, with red brick quoins and covering an area in excess of 3,300 square feet (and that's without counting the detached garage) this is no small house, and it has no small price tag.

Add €100k to the guide of €900,000 and you're talking a million euro property, but according to Diarmuid Madigan of selling agents Sherry FitzGerald O'Malley, it's well worth it because of the size, location and quality of finish.

And it has to be said the finish is excellent, down to the very expensive stone walling that encloses the acre of grounds, which, incidentally, fit the description of manicured.

The architect-designed property has the same attention to detail internally: from the stone storm porch to the imposing, split staircase and the Liscannor slate flooring.

There is a choice of reception rooms and the country lodge look is highlighted in the interior with pitch pine joinery, most of it bespoke with half-glazed, Georgian double doors.

And while the look doesn't break the mould exactly, the house is warm and homely and will be to most people's taste.

Ideal for a growing family, the natural slate roof covers enough space to span all the stages: from the playroom close by the kitchen for supervising smallies, to the huge en suite eyerie on the second floor which is ideal for teenagers.

Parents of this age group will testify that this age group are best kept as far away as possible.

The main living room has gracious accommodation of 25' by 17' in an L-shape with a squared off entrance in the apex: access is via double doors.

The room's centre is provided by a marble fireplace and at the back there are double doors to the sunroom and a set of patio doors to the raised and paved terrace.

The dining room, which seats 12, is to the front and has two windows overlooking the drive and across the hallway is the playroom, slightly smaller than the dining room at 15' by 12'.

The main hallway also has a guest WC and there's a spacious utility off the kitchen, with a half door to the side of the house and the garage.

The kitchen has country pine units, a dresser, Belfast sink and the overall measurements here are 21' by 12'6".

Three of the four bedrooms on the first floor are ensuite and one includes a walk-in dressing room.

All the rooms are ranged around the central landing and, as well as the bedrooms, there is an office and a large, walk-in hot press that doubles as an ironing room a very good idea for families.

All of the rooms come with TV and phone points, pitch pine floors and the main bathroom comes with an antique, cast-iron bath.

The detached garage, also in stone, is built to domestic standards and is fully plumbed.

The grounds, though still at an immature stage, are laid out in beds and lawn and include a wide terrace to the rear of the house, also in Liscannor slabs and finished with a low, stone wall.

The property is lies on the outskirts of Patrickswell village, on the Adare side and benefits from the new by-pass, which should make it interesting to commuters looking for a large family home that will age well.