The gardens of Eden

LIMERICK lies East of Eden or at least east of the Curragh Chase woodland home called Eden House.

Built three years ago by noted Limerick interior designer Mary Kellett, the house is in a Shannonside natural beauty spot, by the entrance to Curragh Chase's Coillte-managed woods.

The lake and park are 25 miles from Limerick on the Foynes road and include forest walks with oak, beech and ash - some up to 200 years old - as well as more recently planted spruce.

There are also nature trails, a lake, gardens, a children's playground, a campsite and the ruins of Curragh Chase House, the former home of the 18th century poet Aubrey de Vere, who is commemorated by a monument in the grounds.

Occupants of the Georgian period-styled Eden House will get to enjoy these neighbourhood amenities. But, since the house has five acres of private grounds of its own, Eden' s new owners won't need to venture outside the world of the wending drive and landscaped gardens secreted behind the electronic gates to the property.

Estate agent Pat Kearney of Rooney's in Limerick expects Eden House to make over the €1 million mark, and forecasts that it will primarily be of interest to business families in the Limerick area.

Eden House has about 3,500 sq ft of space, taking in four to five bedrooms, and the design and interior decor leans towards the classical corniced ceilings, chandeliers and marble fireplaces. The main reception rooms are very large and expensively carpeted. There is a ground level en-suite bedroom, four first-floor bedrooms, all en-suite, and a dressing room plus main bathroom. The kitchen has painted built-ins and an island unit.

The grounds feature rockeries, a huge pond, extensive terraces and patios, all against the wooded backdrop of Curragh Chase.

"It has got tremendous privacy, a great amount of accommodation and is beautifully decorated with top-class fittings, it will sell extremely well," the selling agent forecasts.