Enniskerry/€1.25m: The former dower house of the Charleville Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, is to be auctioned next month with a guide of €1.25 million through Jackson-Stops. Anne Dempsey reports.

Set on seven acres of land about two miles from the village, Charleville Cottage has been boarded up for several years, While it is bound to attract housebuilders, the planning guidelines in the area suggest that a large scale housing scheme would not be allowed on the site.

The 1800s house, now an elegant shell, will also appeal to house-hunters prepared to take on a serious refurbishment project. It will be auctioned on May 5th.

The wooded property includes an orchard garden, paddock and stable block. While the house's interior has fallen into considerable disrepair, the potential of this unusual property is evident.

The house is situated a few miles from Enniskerry village, on the Tinahinch Road leading to Powerscourt Waterfall and convenient to the N11 via Kilcroney.

The villa-style house has a beautifully proportioned interior. Steps lead up to the front door and there are three reception rooms and five bedrooms at above garden level. The kitchen, sculleries and original servant accommodation are at garden level.

Many period features have survived. These include interior panelled doors, window shutters, ceiling plasterwork, bay windows, wainscoting and more.

Outside, the gently sloping paddock is bound by mature trees and is overlooked by the Big and Little Sugar Loaf.

The traditional lofted mews has a stable block with grain store overhead, and nearby is the façade of the original coach-house.