"The house was lovingly cared for when we bought it but like all old houses of this age, it needed enormous structural work and restoration, " says Jennifer.

"It was a listed building so we had to be very careful about how we restored it, and with the help of a wonderful builder, this house was taken apart and put back together again, " she explains. As luck would have it Jennifer is a historian, and therefore is no stranger to period architecture. "I did a lot of reading when we were restoring the house, because anything we took out had to be replaced in the same style and materials.

We replaced some of the windows with authentic sash windows, and others we got repaired by specialists."

Jennifer was able to contact former owners to find out the house's patchy history. "I had thought the original house was built in the late 1700s, and that the drawing room was a later addition in the early 1800s when one of the owners came into some money. However, one of the former owners told me that the original house actually dates back to Cromwellian times."

Almost like the picture perfect house a child would draw with a pretty door right in the centre and flowers flanking either side, Sandpit House has enormous charm. It takes its name from an actual sandpit in the area. With a floor area of 232sq m (2500sq ft), accommodation is more than ample even for a big family.

"This is a real family house. It just has a lovely ambience, " says Jennifer. Beautifully styled in authentic period fashion, you could be forgiven for thinking you've just stepped into a Jane Austen novel.

On entering the house, there is a large square hall with original slate fireplace and cast-iron canopy, textured Italian marble flooring and a staircase. One of the biggest changes Jennifer made to the house was converting the drawing room into a large kitchen/family room.

"The drawing room was so large and bright that I felt it was a shame not to use the space more. Now it's a wonderful big kitchen with an island, dining area and Aga. I spend most of my time in here."

The kitchen features beautiful painted timber period-style units made by McAuley Kitchens, and while it looks quaint and rustic, all the mod cons are discreetly hidden behind doors. Also on the ground floor is a large sitting room with sand-coloured slate flooring, and a cast-iron stove set into the original arched fireplace, a study with doubleheight vaulted ceiling, and a utility room and rear hall.

Upstairs on the first floor return there is a large bathroom, while on the first floor there are four bedrooms including the main with en-suite and walk-in wardrobe.

Outside there is a beautiful formal garden to the front and an apple and pear orchard to the rear. Several outbuildings including a lofted coach-house, stone workshop, stables and haybarn, built around the restored old-world courtyard, add yet another dimension to this property, and could prove a nice little earner for those wishing to combine a home and business opportunity.

The lowdown

Address: Sandpit House, Termonfeckin, Co Louth Details: Superbly restored and renovated detached period house of 232sq m (2,500sq ft) set on an eightacre site. Accommodation comprises an entrance hall, kitchen, back hall, utility, sitting room, study, four bedrooms and main bathroom.

Highlights: The extensive range of outbuildings in the courtyard could prove a nice little earner for those wishing to combine a home and business opportunity.

Price: 1.55m Joint agents: Knight Frank Ganly Walters 01-662 3255 & O'Brien Collins REA 041-987 5444