This is a mansion of a home in anyone’s book

THERE’S a money trail out of Limerick city towards Linsagry, eight miles out of the city off the Dublin road and a spot where houses get built on the generous end of the scale.

Charis is a big home in anyone's book, 3,000 sq ft, and while it might be relatively easy to spend heavily on extra finishes in a regular sized residence, it takes a bit more nerve and depth of pocket in a place this size.

That 3,000 sq ft is spread over ground and first floor level factor in a floored attic area with two Veluxs to the back, with folding stair access only at present, and there's 500 sq ft more to colonise.

Offers over €480,000 are sought by Gordon Kearney of Rooney auctioneers in Limerick, for a place on a half-acre site, entirely walled in, with limestone walling to the front and electric gates.

And, apart from the big, stone-fronted home, the detached garage, also with a weathered Cotswold stone facade, is also built like a house, comes with 700 sq ft of space, double glazing, plastered internally and plumbed just needing a nod from planners to complete the change to granny flat.

But what of the house itself? It comes with sitting room, family room, large reception hall with galleried landing, formal dining room or informal play room, big utility and a whopper of a kitchen/dining space almost 30' by 15', with oodles of units in cherry wood, breakfast bar and integrated appliances.

Quality touches include mahogany staircase, French oak floor in the family room, good wool carpets, good fireplaces (marble/cast iron), wiring for surround sound, and phone, fax and internet lines. Two of the four bedrooms have en suites, while a third has been plumbed for an en suite.

The house has open country views beyond its walls, and Limerick city is a 15-minute drive.