Guinness banker Patrick Guinness, son of the Hon Desmond and the late Louise, aren't saying just yet where they plan to live when Furness, their gem of a Georgian house near Kill village in Co Kildare, is sold by the Guinness Trustees in July. The couple has overseen the refurbishment of the mansion during the past six years, although no doubt they got plenty of tips from Desmond, a passionate conservationist and expert in all things Georgian. Anyone who fancies living in Furness - one of the most authentic big houses in Kildare - will be interested to know that it can pay its way. Not only has it starred in the TV series, The Irish RM, but houses of this calibre are in constant demand from rich Americans wanting a taste of the high life, and willing to pay well over the odds for the experience of lunch, dinner or an overnight stay.

Furness was previously owned by the former Polo One restaurant owner, Oliver Caffrey, who now lives in a house in the walled garden. The Hamilton Osborne King agency is handling the sale, showing that it can still pull in the big country houses despite increased competition in this sector of the market