In some instances however, the story didn't end there and another, albeit less grand, residence, would rise up from the ashes of the former architectural giant. Such is the case with Carrick House, a lakeshore home on the edge of Lough Corrib, Clonbur, Co Galway, that comes to the market with nine acres of woodland, its own private jetty, and a history worthy of a Ken Loach movie.

The original house that stood here was built to the plans and instructions of a Sir Patrick Manson at the turn of the last century. It wasn't to flourish for long . . . the first Carrick House was billetted by the Black and Tans around 1920 and burnt down shortly after.

Then fortune took another turn with the arrival on the scene of Edgar Bredin, general manager of the Great Southern Railways, who built a new version of Carrick House as a retirement haven, as he found this spot at the edge of the lake to be of "incomparable beauty and tranquility". The property has remained in the ownership of a branch of this family and now comes on the open market for sale for the first time in 75 years.

This is a large house with a floor area of some 4,000sq ft.

The layout includes a separate private apartment with two bedrooms, but this could easily be returned to its original use as part of the main house, says selling agent Helen Cassidy. The interior is all soft white and cream paint colours and rooms filled with comfortable, chintzy covered furniture. This authentic country house style is immediately evident in the long entrance hall currently adorned with framed prints and Oriental rugs, and also the original glass conservatory with cane chairs and an array of blossom-filled containers.

Views of the lake are a feature in almost every room.

There are seven bedrooms in total and three reception rooms, all generously sized but not overtly formal and imposing in the manner of many older properties. The largest drawingroom is an inviting space, with a feature fireplace and a picture window gazing out to the lake. Other principal rooms include a second living/familyroom, two double bedrooms, main bathroom, fitted kitchen with separate scullery, and utility. To the rear of the house is another hallway, two double bedrooms, bathroom with shower, lobby, separate guest cloakroom, and two further bedrooms.

The most outstanding feature of this property is that lakeshore location in an area of great natural beauty. Surrounding scenery takes in the Mountains of Maam and the Doorus peninsula off on the horizon. To the east is Ashford Castle and Golden Bay.

Carrick House sits roughly halfway between the fishing villages of Cornamona and Clonbur, with some of the country's finest angling waters close by. There are a number of shops, restaurants and pubs in both villages while Cong is three miles distant, and Galway city and airport are within 24 miles. Activities available locally include horse riding, hill walking, angling and a host of water sports.

With over nine acres of mature woodland gardens there is also the opportunity to enjoy country walks closer to home. The house is sheltered by an array of specimen trees, many planted on the site by the Earl of Leitrim in the late 18th century. These include beech, lime, oak and Scots pine, complemented by lofty flowering rhododendron and hydrangea.

All are offset by a series of manicured gardens that include a badminton court and croquet lawn. To the side of the house lies a full-size hard tennis court and a squash court, while a few minutes' walk away is a stretch of lakeshore 200 metres long that is private to the residence.

This stretch includes a fishing jetty to pull up a boat, or, in keeping with the healthy outdoorsy life of days gone by could be just the spot for a bathe or a picnic.

Price: Excess 1.5m Agent: Helen Cassidy, 094 954 6868