Arts and Crafts extravaganza in Rathmichael for €2.5m

Nestled at the end of a common driveway shared with two other properties lies the winding drive to Buchero, a charming country house set on one acre of private gardens. The property feels miles from nowhere as it is so quiet, yet it sits just minutes from the N11.

Constructed in the Arts and Crafts style, with inglenook fireplaces, casement windows, exposed posts and beams and natural materials, the property is a collaboration between the owner and designers at Potton Homes, a UK-based self-build timberframe home company.

Built in 2000, the house extends to a generous 482sq m (5,188sq ft) yet at no point does it have an overly large feel as the rooms are more charming and comfortable than grand.

Inside the double-fronted entrance is the hall, which doubles as a reception room – complete with fireplace, and used by the family at Christmas time when they can accommodate more than 30 guests for dinner.

Each room on the ground floor feeds into this vaulted space overlooked by a minstrel gallery upstairs.

A formal triple aspect livingroom features an inglenook fireplace large enough to accommodate 2ft logs in its hearth. Constructed with old redbricks – like the exterior of the house – it is the room “where we host Christmas carols for 60 guests”, says the owner who is downsizing.

The upmarket Clive Christian kitchen leads to a dining area – there is also a formal diningroom currently in use as an office – but the kitchen dining space can amply accommodate 10 for dinner.

This in turn leads to a sunroom with access through French windows to the gardens – all bar one room on the ground floor lead out on to the gardens, and in true Arts and Crafts style all rooms have that lovely interaction between the gardens and interiors.

Upstairs are five bedrooms, the en suite of the principal bedroom has its own balcony, as does another of the generously sized bedrooms.

An unusual feature of the property is the utility room. Located upstairs overlooking the kitchen via a gallery – it is very spacious, and has a keypad for access to keep smaller ones away from detergents and the gallery.

In addition to the main house, the property also includes a superb guest cottage. Extending to 98sq m (1,054sq ft) it has an open-plan kitchen/dining/ living area on the ground floor and two rooms upstairs, in addition to a private courtyard.

The property, in turnkey condition, is on the market through joint agents Beirne & Wise and Campion Property with an asking price of €2.5 million.