Included in that illustrious list were Michael Collins, Roger Casement, George Bernard Shaw, Constance Markievicz, Lady Lavery and H G Wells.

The turbulent political situation of the times played a role in the eventual demise of the house . . . it was destroyed by anti-Treaty forces in 1923. Sir Horace Plunkett, the owner of the vast estate which spanned 90 acres, subsequently built a number of smaller houses with the compensation he received from the then Irish Free State. Such was the allure of the place that the resulting properties were advertised in The Ideal Irish Home (1926) as being the "home of your dreams".

Which perfectly sums up Sinaul, 15 Kilteragh Pines. This 357sq m (3,850 sq ft), four-bed property is on the third of an acre site of the original croquet lawn of Kilteragh and has all the grandeur of that former era . . . only styled in decidedly contemporary fashion.

What immediately impresses is the natural light "owing through a series of "oor-to-ceiling windows, all taking advantage of the views of the gardens beyond.

The grand scale of the reception hall, complete with marble "oor, sets the tone for the spacious accommodation throughout. Formal reception rooms leading from here comprise the drawingroom and diningroom, which seats 10 guests comfortably.

The Danish-design "tted kitchen, a feature in itself, leads seamlessly to the family room.

Leading on from here is the new wing of the property, with fully equipped utility, library, study, and full guest quarter comprising double bedroom and bathroom.

The left wing of the house has the principal bedroom accommodation: three doubles and a single room with direct access to the south-facing garden. The master bedroom has extensive "tted wardrobes and the en-suite includes a jacuzzi bath and power shower. The main bathroom, guest cloakroom and walk-in hot press completes the rooms in this part of the house.

Back to the history of the house, and according to selling agents Sherry FitzGerald, reconstruction of the estate, circa l934, took the form of six maisonettes for renting to approved tenants. The development of the single-storey properties, of which Sinaul is one, began in the l970s. Behind that simple exterior however, lies a home, gardens and a setting of great character. No wonder so many illustrious names were attracted to the area.

Price: AMV 3.5m; auction 18 May Agent: Sherry FitzGerald 01-2844 422