Glimpses of the Aran Islands to the west and the Burren to the south can be seen from one of Galway's prime residential properties which is now on sale by private treaty at £1.5 million (1.9m).
St Anne's in Rockbarton is a fine two-storey house, built for and still owned by the well-known Corbett merchant family who have been in business in Galway since 1894.
The secluded property lies on two-thirds of an acre of wooded grounds and is just two miles from the centre of the city.
Originally built in 1948 for Gerald and Poppy Corbett, it is described by their son, Joe, the current owner, as a "little oasis" of tranquility in the fashionable neighbourhood of Rockbarton North, Salthill.
The house was designed by architects Patrick J Sheahan and Maurice Sweeney, architects. Unusually for the period, it is constructed of concrete block and cavity wall, with impressive high ceilings and original hardwood floors throughout.
The Corbetts were involved in many businesses, including joinery and fireplace manufacturing, and a Corbett tile fireplace has been fitted in every room - 11 fireplaces in all.
The house was built in an era when domestic servant quarters were standard; along with two small maids' rooms, it also has a day and night nursery, pantry, scullery and "staff bathroom".
Space was no object, and the cloakroom off the entrance hall downstairs would accommodate a modern study.
Accommodation on the ground floor also comprises a library; the kitchen, complete with Rayburn oil-fired range, servants' bells and a hanging clothesline; pantry; scullery; laundry; bathroom; drawingroom with a superb bay window; sun lounge; and dining room. Mr Joe Corbett's late father sought a template from the staircase in the Great Southern Hotel to construct the stairs at St Anne's.
It leads to a wide landing and five large bedrooms, with a balcony outside.
The night nursery is located over the day nursery downstairs - both of which catch the light from the south and east. There is also a box room, a narrow room at the top of the stairs formerly used for trunks and suitcases.
The upstairs bathroom has a 6 ft long bath and extensive linen room or hot press. Mature trees enclose the grounds which also has a garage and outhouses.
The house would require some refurbishment and modernisation, but agent Joe Greaney of Keane, Mahony Smith believes it offers a rare opportunity in one of Galway's most secluded residential areas.
