A large five-bedroom home with extensive leisure facilities - which include a swimmingpool, squash and tennis courts and stables - may appeal to buyers in search of a home with a business opportunity near Cork - or large families with children needing to be entertained.

Merri Heits, a split-level home 15 miles west of Cork city, is for sale by private treaty for around £1 million through Cork agent Irish & European. The property is owned by Mr Donal Lucey, a director and co-founder of the agency.

Overlooking the Ryecourt Valley, Merri Heits is off the Cork-Killarney Road at Farnanes, a small country village. Built around 20 years ago, this secluded 5,500 sq ft property is in an elevated position on 12.5 acres of wooded land.

The extensive facilities are a big attraction: tennis and squash courts, a swimming-pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and stables give the property plenty of potential to be developed, possibly as a guest-house or country club.

Merri Heits is split-level, with the reception rooms located on the top floor from where the valley is best viewed. Bedrooms are on the ground floor along with the heated indoor swimmingpool.

A large lounge with a Le Droff fireplace has doors leading to a large balcony. The kitchen, diningroom, TV room, study and library are all on the top floor.

Downstairs there are five bedrooms, two of which are en suite: the main bedroom has extensive wardrobe space, an en suite bathroom and doors to the patio. The large fully-tiled family bathroom is also at this level.

There is a family-sized sauna with its own shower and dressingroom on the ground floor. There are also fully-tiled dressingrooms by the heated indoor swimming-pool, as well as a separate shower with lavatory and a family-sized Jacuzzi with wood surround. There are five windows lighting the pool area.

A hard surface tennis court is adjacent to the top balcony, and the indoor squash court is accessed from the pool area.

The property also has its own stables, with six horse and pony boxes, a small tack room and an enclosed yard with a separate shed for hay and straw storage.

The 12.5 acres of mostly wooded land provides space for horse and pony trekking. There is also a carport and garage.