Co Kildare: €1.85mA house in the heart of Co Kildare fits right in with its historic neighbours - but it was built just two years ago. Rose Doylereports

Forgefield House, a house in the lush heart of Co Kildare by Kilkea Castle, Castledermot, has 12 gables, one for every window. It has traditional, ornamental Victorian barges capping those gables and matching granite reveals around the windows.

Inside there's a rambling, Victorian feel too, in the sweeping curve of the main staircase and slyly hidden rear one, in long sash windows and the darkly polished, French oak floorboards of the reception/dining hall.

For all this Forgefield House is a mere and youthful two years old, built by the vendors to their hearts' desire, with a feel for what would fit with the old stone houses of the area.

The design evolved from their living experiences: a stint in Los Angeles is responsible for the open-plan, many windows and light of the rear, living areas; time spent in a Tudor farmhouse contributed timber and stone finishes as well as a certain cosiness.

Forgefield House is surrounded by the historic too - Kilkea Castle and the pleasures of its grounds are within hailing distance and a lived-in 18th century old rectory is next door, as is the converted 18th century forge from which it takes its name.

A large house on 1.75 acres, the floor area covers 436.6sq m (4,700sq ft), laid-out to allow for private home/family living in tandem with running a business or B&B.

There are three reception rooms, a sunroom extending from the kitchen/breakfastroom, four en suite bedrooms in the main part of the house and a fifth on the second (top), self-contained floor, an area now in use as an office area.

A separate studio in the grounds has high gabled ends and ceilings.

Forgefield House is for sale by private treaty through Jordan Auctioneers with an asking price of €1.85 million.

The dining/reception hall has a soaring ceiling and open design giving views through to the rear windows and sweep of Kildare countryside. The stairs lead to a minstrel-style gallery and an interesting open fireplace shares a chimney breast and grate with the next door drawingroom.

A first floor balcony is accessed from both the gallery/landing and main bedroom while the top floor has the quirky benefit of the many gables and is full of interesting shapes and window-lit nooks. The large kitchen has a four-oven Aga and centre island in pale oak. This and other fittings were made by a local cabinet maker. The sunroom opens to a paved patio from where, in a landscaped corner, you can see hollyhocks and a vegetable garden.