€3.75m for new country house in Meath

A DEPRESSED housing market occasionally throws up a real bargain. Anyone looking for a stylish country pile who also happens to have access to a little hard cash and an obliging banker might take a look at Flagmount, a newly-built 657sq m (7,000sq ft) Palladian-style home on 20 acres at Stackallen, between Slane and Navan, which is to be sold because of the current economic difficulties.

Gabriel O'Brien of Drogheda agent O'Brien Collins Real Estate Alliance is quoting €3.75 million for the three-storey house which has been built along classical lines and includes four elegant reception rooms and six bedroom suites with bathrooms and dressingrooms. There is also separate guest accommodation.

One of the highlights of the house is a huge hall with a triple height ceiling crowned with an octagonal atrium which floods the entire area with light. Architect Gilbert Stucky has been particularly good at proportioning the house, creating space without emptiness, comfort without ostentation. He has created wonderful windows everywhere.

In keeping with a good country house, there is also a crescent-shaped courtyard at the rear with 11 loose boxes and a groom's apartment.

Whoever buys Flagmount will have to come up with at least another €1 million to €2 million to fit it out. It needs staircases, floors, bathrooms, kitchen, wardrobes and all the other fittings that distinguish a classy house. They will also have the option of buying a 90k chandelier and Adam-style fireplaces originally ordered for the house.

Anyone viewing the house at Stackallen will undoubtedly notice the intense poster campaign in the area against plans for a chicken manure industrial plant. Local planners have already refused permission for the project and there is considerable local confidence that An Bord Pleanála will do the same.