A six-bedroom house with stables on 15 acres beside the village of Clonee, on the Meath/Dublin border, comes to the market with a price tag of £1.3 million. It will be sold at auction on June 17th through Hamilton Osborne King.

Summerseat Orchard and Stables was owned by former bloodstock breeder Bertie Kerr, father of opera singer Virginia Kerr. Although it is a country property, it is close to city amenities, located in an area which is now one of Dublin's fastest-growing new suburbs. Blanchardstown and Liffey Valley shopping centres are both a short drive away. The property has potential for various uses, and new owners might redevelop the yard and stables, perhaps as apartments or townhouses, subject to planning permission. Ongar Stud, which is nearby, is to be redeveloped for housing by Manor Park Homes.

The house, has been extended over the years and has three reception rooms, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen and breakfastroom. It is set within a high, stone wall and has a private, sheltered garden.

The drawingroom, with a timber floor, marble mantelpiece and French doors to the garden, opens off a large entrance hall. The kitchen has an Aga cooker and an island breakfast counter, and the breakfastroom opens on to an enclosed paved patio through sliding patio doors. There is also a study with a fireplace at ground floor level, a bedroom with fitted wardrobes, and a half-tiled bathroom. There is a separate entrance at the side of the house.

The main bedroom upstairs has wall-to-ceiling fitted wardrobes and a picture window overlooking the garden; its en suite bathroom has mosaic-tiled walls. There are four more bedrooms upstairs, and the family bathroom.

The yard comprises 24 stables, and two haybarns. There are also four offices with a small kitchen, and two lavatories, one with a shower, which can be converted to living accommodation.

Some of the land may have long-term development potential. Other amenities not far from Clonee include golf clubs at Lucan, Westmanstown and Luttrellstown.