A stunning eight-bedroom 17th-century mansion once owned by the famous Smithwick brewing family has gone on sale in Co Kilkenny.
The "rare and extraordinary gem" just five minutes' walk from Kilkenny city is on the market for €3.25m.
For comparison, with €3.25m, you could buy approximately 650,000 pints of Smithwicks.
Kilcreene Lodge is situated on 10 acres of "lush grounds" and boasts its own private lake which runs into the River Breagagh.
With eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms and five reception rooms, the historic Italianate Mansion with Jacobean and Victorian features has been recently restored "to add the luxury and comforts of contemporary living".
The secluded property occupies an "extraordinary location", and is noted by the Inventory of Architectural Heritage for the preservation of its original features and for the quality of its craftsmanship.
Built in 1690, Kilcreene Lodge was once a miller's house, with a small water wheel on the river still in place.
Almost two hundred years later, John William Smithwick employed Charles Geoghegan to quadruple the size of the house.
Geoghegan also worked on Annagh's Castle in Kilkenny, and was responsible for some of the bank buildings at Foster Place and Dame Street in Dublin.
He was also "passionate about water supply", according to estate agents Sherry FitzGerald who listed the house, and Kilcreene is said to have been the first home in Co Kilkenny with running water in the bathroom.
The house grew as the Smithwick's brewing empire expanded, with several notable figures in Irish history frequenting the property.
Daniel O'Connell, Tyrone Power, James Cagney and the Guinness family were among the visitors, with "film stars and aristocracy" said to have danced through the home's "beautiful and graceful formal rooms".
In 1999, Kilcreene was bought by Gerry and Christine Byrne, who restored the original house.
The property "has a host of reception rooms as well as a fully fitted kitchen which features original ceramic brick wall tiles, painted units and Aga cooker," the listing says.
"The house is complemented by all the modern conveniences you could need for catering the kind of parties this house so richly deserves."
"An exceptionally large and graceful triple aspect lake room, opens to a sun terrace looking on to the weir and tranquil waters" of the private lake at the front of the house.
There is also a dining room, drawing room, music room and living room, in addition to an office, storerooms, utility rooms, a boot room and cloakroom.
"A charming sunroom with double doors out onto a decked area for al fresco dining" is described as "a peaceful retreat with planted sloping bank with watercourse which gives a fantastic backdrop".
Upstairs, the lavish fittings continue, with eight bedrooms which are all ensuite, a gym, and several balconies.
Outside, the 10-acre grounds include a gravelled parking area, stone patios, a garage and even a tennis court.
The gardens, meanwhile, "have been designed to enjoy lovely private spots, classic lighting, decks, sheltered lawns, a small water wheel and feature fountain" along with "little bridges" and "places to walk in peace".
In a final appeal to buyers, the listing on MyHome.ie adds: "As Kilkenny City has grown to the thriving and cultural spot it is today, Kilcreene retains a beautiful sense of timelessness and tranquillity.
"It is a rare and quiet gem, at peace with itself and its extraordinary place in the world."
