Set on a 26-acre site at the edge of Kilcullen village, Co Kildare, Castlemartin Lodge is a new development of 192 three, four and fivebedroom houses being built by G&K Properties, which bought the land earlier this year from a local vet. Situated opposite Sir Anthony O'Reilly's country pad, Castlemartin Stud, the first 50 three and four-bedroom houses in the scheme will go on sale this weekend through joint agents Douglas Newman Good and Nolan and Brophy.

They include 1,185 sq ft three-bedroom semi-detached houses from £159,950 (€203.094); and 1,250 sq ft four-bedroom semi-detached houses from £169,950 (€215,791). These come with the option of an attic conversion, which extends the space to 1,615 sq ft and costs from £184,950 (€234,838). A four-bedroom detached 1,849 sq ft house costs from £249,950,(€317,371); with an attic conversion the living space is increased to 2,380 sq ft and the price is from £269,950 (€342,765).

Located 28 miles from Dublin and with access to the M9 motorway, the houses are expected to be completed in March 2003 and will obviously appeal to commuters and those looking to escape the city. Standard features include gas central heating, en suites for the main bedrooms, downstairs cloakrooms, Shaker-style kitchen units and extra-high ceilings in the detached houses.

Typical internal layouts include adjoining diningrooms and lounges with separate kitchens - although the four-bedroom detached house features a separate lounge and livingroom/ diningroom.

Designed for family living, the houses are set in extensive areas of landscaped open space. Kilcullen is prime stud territory and is three miles from the Curragh. An Arrow rail service is available from Newbridge to Heuston, with feeder buses from Newbridge to Kilcullen. There will be five showhouses, which to avoid uniformity have a variety of fac,ades. They go on view on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm and on Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm.