Gardens are glory of 19th century originals in Westmeath and Meath

MULLINGAR: €885,000 : THE GARDENS of a mid-19th century house near the village of Ballynacargy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, are…

MULLINGAR: €885,000: THE GARDENS of a mid-19th century house near the village of Ballynacargy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, are one of the property's most attractive features, according to selling agent Knight Frank.

Willifield House sits on four-and-a-half acres, surrounded on three sides by mature lawns. A path leads to a one-acre walled garden carefully nurtured by the current owners: it has fountains, ponds, flowerbeds and mature trees.

There are good views over the gardens from the windows of the three large reception rooms in the house, which has good original features. These include original fireplaces, cornicing, and windows with wood-panelled surrounds. Upstairs there are four bedrooms. Outside is a courtyard with cut-stone coach-houses, stables and "a party room which leads to a private back garden".

The nearby village of Ballynacargy is on the banks of the Royal Canal and has its own harbour.

Willifield House, Ballynacargy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

Mid-19th century four-bed on 4.5 acres

Agent: Knight Frank

MORNINGTON: €.2M:THIS SIX-BEDROOM 19th century house has been extended and renovated, yet it retains many original features including timber floors, decorative plasterwork and fireplaces. It is decorated in a classic country style.

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The house sits on 27 acres of mainly agricultural land which also includes a two-acre mature garden, an orchard and a south-facing patio beside the house. There are also stables, outhouses and garages with the house, which is for sale at €2.2 million through Sherry FitzGerald.

On the ground floor there are plenty of living spaces including a library/television room (depending on what part-time pursuits you’ll admit to), drawingroom (with double doors to the patio and garden), diningroom, familyroom, sunroom and a hallway with a marble staircase topped by a 19ft atrium. The vast kitchen contains hand-made units with granite worktops and an island unit. The large utility room has an Aga in it.

Upstairs there are six bedrooms including a suite with a balcony, en suite and dressing area with built-in wardrobes. One other bedroom has its own en suite and four bedrooms share two en suites.

Whitefields, Donacarney, Mornington, Co Meath

Six-bed house on 27 acres

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald

Emma Cullinan

Emma Cullinan

Emma Cullinan, a contributor to The Irish Times, specialises in architecture, design and property