Knight for a neighbour Rose Martin

THE difference between the aristocracy and the rest of us is that they count — we all go back that far, it’s just that we don’t keep track.

And these days we're all flush enough to pick up a posh pile to go with our uncharted lineage. Take Glin, for example, where you can have an 18th century property on the banks of the Shannon for the small change sum of E800,000, along with seven acres of land. And you get to live near the Knight of Glin, who has 500 acres in his eponymous estate, village and townland and whose family came here in 1170 many of us, of course, were here before that.

Shannon Lawn House does exactly what it says on the tin its grounds run down to the Shannon estuary one mile west of the village of Glin.

This house is in prime condition inside and fits the country house niche with fine fireplaces, cornicing and a sweeping driveway for the 05 Range Rover. All of the 21st century conveniences are there in abundance, as Shannon Lawn House has all of its four bedrooms en suite and those rooms are also finished with decorative plasterwork. The ground floor has an impressive entrance hall with two windows which make it very bright. facing the doorway are double doors leading through to the formal drawing room. Oval in shape, this room has two floor to ceiling windows overlooking the water and is surpassed by the sitting room which has three large windows and superb plasterwork.

The kitchen is fitted in country pine and has a cream Aga as a centrepoint with double doors at the dining end leading to the patio which has wide views of the River Shannon. Next to the kitchen is a fitted utility room leading to a rear hallway with a rear door and access to the first floor area.

A sweeping teak staircase leads to the first floor land, which, at 25' by 12,' is quite impressive and gives access to all four bedrooms, most of which are at least 15' by 12' and all have views.

Shannon Lawn House has a wooded setting to the rear with mature beech, oak and chestnut on the grounds.

The western end of this property has a wonderful, walled-in garden and the grounds have a number of mature beds and borders. The sale also includes a gate lodge in need of repair.

Ivan O'Gorman of O'Connor Murphy Gubbins is the agent in charge of the sale and says there is an offer on the house already, but hasn't reached the asking price of E800,000.

Glin is west of Limerick city and within commuting distance.