BOUGHT as a development project near the height of the boom, someone once had ambitious plans for Rathvinden House in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow. The 10-bedroom house on 20 acres sits just outside the village, at the centre of a good parcel of land, part of which was once considered ideal for additional housing.

The main house was built in 1810 and radically extended in 1840 with the addition of grand bow-ended reception rooms. Now the two-storey over basement house has 875 sq m (9,418 sq ft), much of it lavishly refurbished, according to selling agent David Ashmore of Savills. The vast country-style kitchen has a four-door Aga and most of the bedrooms are ensuite.

However, he also says that the house “has not had the benefit of being lived in” for the last couple of years, which implies another property dream gone sour. Ashmore has had private offers on the property, which includes a good yard and several outbuildings, but none to match the €950,000 asking price which he is hoping to achieve by putting it on the open market this week.

Still, the owner may have to compromise if they are in need of a sale this year.