The upkeep of a sprawling estate can be enough to scare off even the wealthiest potential buyers in their droves so the owners of the lavish Ashtown Lodge, a large period house on 25 acres beside Castleknock village, have decided to sell the property in parcels.

Ashtown Lodge has been owned by the
O'Reilly family, of Dublin company Merlin Motors, for 30 years. When they first put it on the market, in early 2012, it was asking €6.5 million for the entire estate. The property comes with a swimming pool, tennis court, stables, an orchard and large sheds, where the owner once ran an African Grey Parrot breeding programme. However a year and a half and three estate agents later, it is now being sold through agent Vincent Finnegan who is offering it in three lots.

The price tag on the first lot – the 700sq m main house of Tudor origins with Georgian additions plus a 220sq m annex, all on three acres – is €2.5 million. The second lot – the gate lodge on a quarter of an acre – is €1.5 million, and the period-style, converted coachhouse on two acres is €1.75 million.

While previously the entire estate was on offer, this time the remaining 19 and a bit acres are being kept by the family with a view to future development. If they sell all the lots for the asking prices, they stand to make
€5.75 million.

Vincent Finnegan says the demand for big compound-style properties is not what it was and predicts this could be the way forward for large estates.

Previous occupants of Ashtown Lodge include the musical Walton family.