Shortalstown House, set on two acres of awardwinning gardens, has been in the continuous ownership of three generations of the same family since the early 1920s.

The property itself dates back further, to the 18th century, but like many grand country homes, it was extended and altered in accordance with the needs and fashions of subsequent periods; the south facing facade of the two and half storey building was added in 1835, the front glazed porch is a 1935 addition, and the entire roof was renewed and insulated in the l970s.

The entire house extends to some 2,500 sq ft with accommodation that includes four bedrooms, two reception rooms, two attic rooms, and a wonderfully authentic farmhouse kitchen with traditional fittings such an enamel sink and Aga.

There are original features in many rooms, particularly the more formal ones, including an old fashioned built-in china cabinet in the dining room and antique marble fireplace in the drawing room.

The setting is in quiet countryside two miles off the N25 and will be familiar to many older people with a love for formal gardens.

Shortalstown House's two acre of well-tended grounds were formerly open to the public, until relatively recently, and celebrated and written about in several guides and specialist publications, as well as being featured in a number of television programmes.

Like the bigger gardens of old, these are laid out in a number of vegetable and fruit plots, with everything from herb beds to numerous rhododendrons and many rare and tender plants and specimen trees. Included among these is a lofty monkey puzzle, a stalwart of the typical Victorian garden and just one of many features that will surely delight the next owners.

Price: 980,000 Agent: Raymond Corish 053-222 88