And it's just as jaw-droppingly gorgeous on the outside. Standing on 17.5 acres of land, Coole Abbey is a handsome Georgian house with a beautiful five bay stone facade with sash windows and wide projecting eaves, set in an elevated site with far reaching southerly views over the Bride Valley, a picturesque and unspoilt rural area of rolling countryside.

Tucked well in off the road, the house is approached by a stud railed drive, flanked by paddocks and walled garden.

There's a real sense of history and heritage about the place. The house derives its name from the abbey, the remains of which are located to the front of the house, which it is believed was founded in 1296 by the Norman de Burgh family, who gave it into the care of the Knights Templars. A holy well is also located within the grounds of the property.

The house was originally three-storey over basement, designed by architect Davis Duckart (who was also the architect of nearby Kilshannig and Castle Hyde Estates) and built in 1765 for Henry Peard. Lovingly restored in recent years, it is arranged over three floors and offers 745sq m (8000sq ft) of living space . . . reception, drawing room, diningroom, library, kitchen, breakfast room, utility room, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a dressing room, gym, billiard room, wine cellar and laundry.

The hall, entered by a set of limestone steps, is the first room that greets visitors upon arrival and features a grand staircase of solid 18th century joinery. It is adjoined by a reception hall floored in solid timber, with furniture arranged around a magnificent carved stone fireplace.

The dining room (also the library) is similar in size and benefits from three sash windows giving fine views over the surrounding countryside.

Natural-hued walls, furniture and fittings ensure the views take centre stage. Built-in units and shelving encase the fireplace and go up and over the door providing generous storage. The drawing room also benefits from large windows and features a marble fireplace and timber floor.

The kitchen is a bright double aspect room kitted out with SieMatic units, a fouroven Aga and dishwasher.

Upstairs, the four bedrooms are bright and spacious, the smallest an ample 18ft 6ins by 15ft, with three benefiting from en-suites.

The lower ground floor is a more relaxed space that's all about entertaining and relaxing with its billiard room, bar and wine cellar . . . handy if you're a connoisseur. Of course you can work off that laid-back attitude later on in the gym, which features a Jacuzzi bath and sauna.

A two-storey guest cottage on the grounds featuring vaulted ceilings and exposed timber beams and stone walls provides extra accommodation, along with coach houses, a fodder barn, workshop and woodstore which could be transformed into other uses. Well located just 8km away from the thriving market town of Fermoy and with good road infrastructure to Cork, Coole Abbey offers all the benefits of country living within easy reach of the city.

Price: 2.25m Agent: Michael H Daniels & Co 022 46996