Secluded Rockbarton five-bed with coachhouse and history

Bluebells, mature chestnut, beech and oak - and a coachhouse to the rear - mark out one of the most distinctive properties to arrive on the Galway market in recent months. It is for sale by private treaty through Cunningham Auctioneers which is guiding over £1 million (#1.27).

Liosgorm House in Rock bar ton, Salthill, comes with a provenance. Built by a member of the Barton family associated with the French wine trade in 1848, the red granite house on one acre is in a most secluded setting, almost directly behind Leisureland and three minutes from the Salthill promenade. It was only several years after its construction that Salthill began to develop as a resort and people began travelling to "take the waters" or try out the baths at Seapoint.

The stone used in its construction was quarried between Spiddal and Inverin, and the period house has been excellently maintained in the last century and a half. A beautifully landscaped garden that includes a little summer house is shaded by trees and enclosed by stone walls. The current owners, Barney and Maureen Geraghty, are moving to a bungalow which is currently under construction next to the grounds and will be walled off on completion.

The house comes with five bedrooms and three additional bedrooms in the coach-house at the rear. On the ground floor, the hall leads into a fine drawing room looking over the rolling lawn. There is a separate dining room, a homely kitchen, toilet and boiler room.

One unusual feature is a telephone room, which is smaller than a study but considerably larger and far more comfortable than the average telephone booth! There are five comfortable bedrooms upstairs as well as a bathroom and toilet.

At garden level there is a library or study, and a space that could be used as a wine cellar. The coach-house or mews, which is discreetly walled off and tucked behind the main house, extends to 85 sq m and comprises a lounge, livingroom/kitchen, bathroom and toilet in addition to the three bedrooms.