Ballydavis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, R32F8WE

As you emerge from the speeding motorway at junction 16, you will immediately notice you are leaving the fast pace of life behind and entering a gentler land. A land of castles and nature parks, of hills and forests, a total antidote to the city. A land where children can grow and be nurtured by their surroundings. A perfect location: 2 minutes from the motorway, 5 minutes from prestigious schools, 10 minutes from a thriving town and less than an hour from Dublin. Gandon's masterpiece at Emo court is just 5 minutes away, with its beautiful free parklands, cosy coffee shop and delightful lakeside walks. Golf is on your doorstep on The Heath and on the nearby Seve Ballesteros championship course in Killenard which is also home to a luxurious spa and health club. Follow the way for the spectacular Dunamaise Castle. It was part of the dowry of Aoife, the daughter of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, when she was given in marriage to the Norman conqueror Strongbow in 1170. A thousand years ago this was considered the best place in Leinster to have a home, and we believe it still is. You will immediately notice this stunning home. A home of massive proportions with almost 5,000 square feet of luxurious accommodation, yet it sits neatly into the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. The granite and limestone entrance gates with separate vehicular and pedestrian entrances announce a home of true distinction. The electric gates open, a tarmacadamed driveway leads to the residence and the true magnificence of this spectacular home reveals itself. Family may enter through the beautiful Victorian style mudroom porch to the rear. However, given the opportunity, take the main entrance to the front. Pause, prepare and enter. Step in. The opening line from Balfe's Aria in The Bohemian Girl, will play inside your mind, "I dreamt I dwelt in Marble Halls. This is a room that will fill the senses and all you can do is stop and admire. The most majestic bifurcated staircase displays itself in spectacular proportions. Hardwood treads, polished handrails, meticulously carved stairends, geometrically perfect spindles. The entire, a piece of craftmanship to be admired for generations. Set in the most perfect surrounding, the staircase is complimented by Bath stone floors, handmade doors, millimetre perfect architraves and skirtings, brass switchware and a magnificent centrepiece chandelier. Off the hall is a state-of-the-art comms room which controls the magnificent heating, security and computer systems. A spectacularly finished guest WV sits in a peaceful ante room. The Kitchen; a cook's haven, a family retreat or just a feast for the senses, this is the most perfect kitchen you will ever enjoy. With oodles of handmade and hand painted cabinetry from the country leading cabinet maker, a stunning central island and the finest of stone worktops, all is akin to a celebrity chefs studio kitchen. With designer integrated appliances, professional gas rangemaster, a butler's pantry and every conceivable extra; cooks; you have arrived. All of this splendour housed in a room flooded with natural light. The complete is staggeringly beautiful. This amazing space is further complimented by a fully appointed cloaks room and massive utility room, finished and fitted to a standard seldom seen in kitchens, let alone laundry rooms Off the kitchen is perhaps the most relaxing room on the ground floor, a beautiful, multi-faceted lounging space with areas for TV, reading or crafting. This room is plumb south facing and the perfect indoor space to unwind in the warming sun. The sliding sash windows and double doors to the rear reception hall create a true period home feeling. Reception room two is a large room, ideal for receiving guests in the formal style. Solid floors, large fireplace and a pretty bay come together to create a welcoming and sophisticated space. Double doors lead to the semi octagonal music room or reception room three. One can only imagine the entertainment here as the house allows the party to flow magically. The fourth reception room is a beautiful home office. With all the charm of a Victorian smoking lounge. High ceilings, twin windows, designer fittings and an inviting cast iron fireplace all combine to create a room to work or relax. Maybe the unthinkable-both at the same time. Ascend the jaw-droppingly beautiful bifurcated staircase and pause. Appreciate the light, the space, the detail. Notice the silencing solid floors beneath you. You are standing on one of the finest residential spaces for miles and miles around. This is without compare. Up here there are 4 stunning bedrooms. The master bedroom is the stuff of dreams. A magnificent room with exquisite touches, adorned by a massive dressing room with department store size hanging spaces and a massive ensuite finished to those exacting standards seen in every inch of this extraordinarily beautiful home. Bedrooms two and three are also premium hotel suite standard with dressing rooms and ensuites. Bedroom four is a beautiful double room with picture windows and ample wardrobe space. Flooring, bathrooms and storage are at premium-level specification. Large picture windows allow beautiful views of the dramatic surrounds. A massive family bathroom completes the first floor accommodation. Everywhere in this house the finishes are world class. Whether it's the brass electrical fittings, luxury sanitary ware, hardwood floors, marble finishes or the premium handmade kitchen, the level of detail is mind-blowing. Not a square inch could be improved. Outside the grounds are equally spectacular, with tarmacadam driveways, oodles of parking space, manicured lawns, and an amazing fully roofed outdoor entertainment area, perfectly set to catch the evening sun, if you ever do manage to drag yourself outside the stunning home, the outdoor amenities are equally inspiring. The main garage is massively spacious can garage numerous cars, doubles as a workshop also houses the plant for the state-of-the-art heating system. This remarkable machinery not only heats the entire underfloor heating of the house on all levels but also provides endless hot water all for a fraction of the cost of a conventional system. GAA, Rugby and Soccer are superbly catered for whilst canoeing and fishing are close at hand on the canal at Vicarstown or Barrow in Monasterevin, whilst world class shopping at Kildare Village just 15 minutes away is your next stop on the motorway. Highspeed broadband laid on. External Wi-Fi. State of the art underfloor heating system. B Rated. Qualifies for Super-low interest-rate Green Mortgage. Viewing Strictly By Appointment Only