Formerly a shooting lodge, the house, with an awesome 478sq m (5,150sq ft) of space, bears the stylistic shifts in interior design of the intervening two centuries since it was built.

This is very much evident on first entering the house through the dramatic reception hall, almost fully square, in black and white Gothic style complete with tall shuttered windows, ornate plaster wall plaque and chequerboard floor.

Opening directly from this is the similarly styled inner hall, again its Gothic influence is evident in the feature staircase up to the first floor. All of the reception rooms are generously proportioned, with soaring ceilings, tall sash windows, and original, marble surround fireplaces.

Rooms at entrance level comprise the formal drawingroom, interconnecting diningroom with french doors to the terrace, guest cloakroom and study/morningroom with Gothic windows overlooking the sheltered verandah.

These more formal reception rooms in the house gradually weave through to a very inviting and informal, country kitchen, complete with cheeryred painted walls, the ubiquitous Aga and quarry-tiled floor, all of which opens onto a comfortable breakfastroom-cumfamilyroom warmed by a cast-iron, multi-fuel stove. A spacious scullery, two storerooms and a second cloakroom complete the rooms at groundfloor level.

Up the feature staircase to the first-floor return is the landing with an old-fashioned - but eternally practical - linen room. The first of the five bedrooms is on the return, as is a very large bathroom.

On the first-floor landing are the four remaining bedrooms, all with marble fireplaces. Bedroom two and three share a bathroom, while bedroom four is en suite. There is also a separate bathroom on this floor. As is common with grand period houses, there is a rear staircase leading back down from the return to a studio with charming garden views.

The separate gate lodge is very traditional in style and extends to 65sq m (700sq ft).

Accommodation comprises the livingroom, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside, a fork in the long driveway leads to the stable yard with five horseboxes, outhouses and a stone arch on through to a hay barn and the paddocks. There is generous parking space all around the house, while the grounds retain many of those signature features of the late Regency period garden including a stone urn, sun dial, classical statues and jardinieres - all of which are included in the sale.

Glenealy is three miles from Ashford in north Wicklow and the nearby N11 - and about an hour's drive from the city centre.

Price: AMV �?�3m by public auction on 2 May 2006 Agent: Daphne L Kaye 01 289 4386