ARCHITECTURAL details such as intricate plasterwork, marble fireplaces, towering ceilings and sash windows are no less than you would expect to find in an 18th-century Irish townhouse.

Imagine then the delight of the owners of Waterslade House, in Tuam, Co Galway, on the discovery that a former inhabitant is one of Ireland's foremost Impressionist painters and who has left his artistic stamp on the interior. Augustus Nicholas Burke, a friend of Nathaniel Hone and Walter Osborne, was born at Waterslade House in 1838. One of his earliest works is believed to be the rural scenes depicted on the intricately painted panels on two of the dining room doors. The panels have been assessed by the National Gallery of Ireland and both they and Christies have expressed great interest.

That the works survived is practically a miracle because when Vicky and Adrian Brennan moved in several years back, the house was not exactly a masterpiece.

"It had been derelict for about four years. Although structurally sound, it needed a lot of love and attention . . . plus new floors, re-wiring and all the usual upgrading."

With a lot of hard work and effort they transformed the property back to its gracious origins . . . helped greatly by Vicky's innate good taste in interior design, Farrow and Ball heritage paints, and a distinct French Empire style in the furniture and furnishings.

The property boasts four double bedrooms, all en-suite, a vast kitchen, elegant drawing room, office, lavish entrance hall . . . and two dining rooms plus a basement bar. Those latter rooms give a clue to the most recent incarnation of this historic building . . . as an award-winning restaurant and guesthouse. Waterslade was recommended in the Bridgestone Guide as one of the top 10 places to stay in Ireland, and also has won Bridgestone awards for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Restoring an 18th-century house proved a real learning curve, explains Vicky, particularly with regard to issues of conservation.

"We did get a heritage grant for the plaster ceiling roses which were still in good condition but they needed the attention of a craftsman. Dealing with all of the professional bodies in terms of what was appropriate for restoration was almost as time-consuming as the work itself. However, it was all worth it in the end because of the many architectural gems we found during the renovation."

The very fine entrance hall retains its original floor tiles. To enhance the proportions of the room, Vicky had the Georgian archway and hall ceiling painted with cherubs by a local artist. A Victorian crystal chandelier sparkles underneath the centre rose. The basement was also painted with a mural depicting a Venetian scene.

The white and grey chairs, cabinets and armoires were sourced in Italy, while Vicky also went abroad to find the large slipper cast-iron bath that sits proudly in the biggest en-suite.

Those painted panels on the dining room doors are an undoubted bonus for the next owners of Waterslade House.

The intricately painted dogs, horses and pastoral scenes are, say the National Gallery, almost certainly among Burke's early works.

"They are not of enormous value in money terms, compared to his later works, " explains Vicky. "We took a conscious decision to leave them, in situ, and our hope is that the next owners will do likewise as a reminder of the budding young painter who once lived here."