The draw for the 700,000 home in Dundalk is entirely legitimate but to be in with a chance entrants will have to cough up 1,000. It is believed to be only the second time such a venture was undertaken in the property market.

The homeowner, Triona Martin, has used much of the house to accommodate her shaman and alternative therapies practice, and is conducting the raffle with a view to building a better centre.

"Since my two daughters grew up, I've been able to facilitate a workshop here, " she says. "But I think it's time to move to another place. There is a real need to expand. At the beginning of this year, I realised I was in the wrong place for the work.

Issues like confidentiality are very important and you really need a purpose-built centre. I'm hoping that the proceeds will enable the Shamans' Circle to build an eco-friendly, wooden, sustainable centre outside the town."

After consulting with an auctioneering firm, Martin realised the expected sale price would not be enough to acquire a new, sustainable centre.

"The week before it was due to go on the market, I thought, 'Well, why don't I raffle it?' I went to my solicitor and he suggested the way we might go about it."

A straight raffle for the three-storey redbrick property would not be permitted under the law.

After legal advice, Martin set up a society, the Friends of Shamans' Circle Centre, which members of the public can join for 1,000 and which gives free entry to the draw. She is hoping to raise 1.2m from the raffle, and three local charities will also benefit from a share of the proceeds as she wants to emphasise the community-based nature of the centre.

The draw is due to take place next February but if the target of 1,200 members isn't met by then, an extension period of two months will begin. If at the end of that time a decision is taken not to go ahead, the members will have their fees reimbursed.

Shamanism is an ancient practice concerned with healing and problem-solving, using a holistic mind, body and spirit approach. Common in some underdeveloped countries, it has grown in popularity in western countries in the last decade.