Co Cavan: from €449,339Classic homes and grounds are the settings for new schemes in Cavan and Longford. Brenda McNally visits Farnham, Fiona Tyrrellreports on Carrigglas

A new phase of houses in the grounds of the Farnham Estate in Co Cavan go on sale this weekend through joint selling agents Kelly Walsh Property Advisors and Don Crotty Auctioneers.

A further 16 houses are being released in two separate developments. The first phase was released from plans last October and has almost sold out.

This phase includes two three-bedroom and 14 four-bedroom homes. Reinventing the concept of country estate for a new era, investors here will have the entire 1,300-acre walled demesne for a playground.

Benefits include spectacular landscapes, the Radisson SAS Hotel and the Farnham Wellness Centre, one of the largest spa treatment centres available in Ireland, as well as membership of the 18-hole championship golf course being designed by Jeff Howles.

The brief at Farnham Estate was to provide a modern take on the country home concept and architects Gilroy McMahon have put a great deal of thought into site layout and orientation to ensure all the homes have maximum sunlight, optimum useage of outdoor areas and good views.

Three-bed terraced homes measuring 146sq m (1,561sq ft) cost from €449,339 and four-bed semi-detached homes of 219sq m (2,351sq ft) cost from €581,498.

A five-star fitout package and membership of the golf course and health spa are also available.

All the units on release also qualify for generous tax incentives against rental income in the Republic.

The homes have been finished with reclaimed stone from Farnham Estate, and have outdoor areas with decking.

Standard features of the homes include: quality fitted kitchens complete with all appliances as per showhouse, tiled bathrooms and en suites throughout, high quality sanitary ware, built-in wardrobes, fireplaces, oak stairs and doors and skirting throughout.

The refurbished Farnham House has 158 bedrooms, a conference centre with 10 meeting rooms, restaurants and bars.

Features at the Farnham Wellness Centre, which residents will have access to, include an indoor/outdoor infinity pool, hot and cold water splash pools with light therapy, a herbal aroma bath and a juice bar.

Co Longford: from €340,000Luxury golf and country homes in an estate which was once home to the man who reputedly broke novelist Jane Austen's heart come to the market this weekend.
Carrigglas Manor is a walled estate on 600 acres of meadow and woodland, about 1.5 miles from Longford town.

Originally the seat of the Bishop of Armagh, the house and estate was acquired in 1837 by the Huguenot lawyer Thomas Lefroy, the first love of Jane Austen. He is believed to have been the inspiration for Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and their romance is the subject of the film, Becoming Jane.

The story goes that after a brief romance in Hampshire Lefroy was packed off home to Ireland, got married and built Carrigglas Manor, a magnificent gothic revival house.

The estate is now being transformed into a luxury country home and golf development by Kearns Development and sales are being handled by joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and DNG Frank Regan.

The first 50 houses were sold off plans last year and now a further 30 are being released. A total of 200 houses are planned for the estate.

This weekend buyers can check out four different beautifully presented show houses and play a couple of holes of golf on a computer simulation of the golf course currently under construction and being designed by US Open winner Retief Goosen.

Prices start at €340,000 for large three-bedroom houses and four-bedroom houses are priced from €400,000. All houses come with section 23 tax breaks.

Work is well underway at the estate and new buyers can expect to move in this summer. The Carlton four-star hotel is due to open later in the year.

Buyers will get a 50 per cent discount on golf membership and two years' free access to the spa and leisure centre being built on site. Other amenities at the 18th century estate include an equestrian centre, a pool and woodland walks.

The finish at Carrigglas is expected to be classy. Local limestone walls will feature in many of the house types, roofing will be natural slate and Irish hardwood windows and doors are being used throughout.