How do you make a big, historic house pay for itself? That's a question that has vexed many an encumbered owner, but few have come up with as innovative an idea as German couple Uwe and Marika Ruhm. The owners of the 18th-century Kilronan Castle in Roscommon have received planning permission for a private cemetery in the grounds of their home. They acquired the derelict property, between Ballyfarnon and Keadue, on 50 acres three years ago. However, with refurbishment work estimated to cost up to £2 million, they came up with this plan which could, if successful, yield over £4 million. Targeted at wealthy expatriates, particularly Irish-Americans, the cemetery will have 1,200 burial plots and will be contained in a two-acre walled garden. The centrepiece will be a glasshouse featuring a stone column fitted with a computer screen where each plot can be viewed via a web cam. Buyers will also be able to record messages to their visiting loved ones. A single plot will cost £3,000 for a 24-year tenure while an eternal plot will knock you back £5,000. Should you wish to share your final resting place, a double plot for 24 years will be £5,000 and you can own your own for £7,000. Planning permission for the development is subject to the provision of a visitors car-park, preservation of garden walls and archaeological assessment.

Inquiries can be made to Uwe Ruhm on the Internet at www.cemeteryproperty.com