Co Westmeath: €7.5m  The main bedroom in Jamestown Court is bigger than most family homes, says Robert O'Byrne.

Though the Irish road network is still far from perfect, it has improved immeasurably in recent years and brought into reach all sorts of country houses that seemed hitherto inaccessible.

One such property is Jamestown Court, a Westmeath estate that gives the impression of being utterly remote but which, since only a little south of Mullingar, is within easy reach of both the N4 and N6 and so not too far from a number of large urban centres, including the capital.

Surrounded by some 62 acres of park and woodland, the three-bay core of Jamestown dates back to circa 1720 when it was constructed for a member of the Geoghegan family, who gave their name to the nearby settlement of Castletown Geoghegan.

A century later the house was extended with the addition of long, six-bay wings to north and south of the main block which was in turn given a romantic new Tudor Gothic facade. That sensation of romanticism can be gained right from Jamestown's stone entrance gates, guarded by a pretty lodge and opening onto a long drive that passes the restored ruins of a mediaeval church (now restored as an enchanting sunken garden) and an ancient tower house.

For sale through Knight Frank Ganly Walters for offers over €7.5 million, Jamestown is worth viewing to see what can be achieved by anyone with sufficient vision - and funds.

Arriving at the main building, there's no evidence of the vicissitudes the place had suffered prior to being bought by its present owners 15 years ago. At the time, one wing was unroofed and derelict, and the other barely habitable. Nor was the central block in much better shape, whereas today it could scarcely look smarter thanks to an extensive programme of work that has only of late come to an end.

First-time visitors to the house are certain to be dazzled by its double-height entrance hall, drenched in light from a bank of east-facing windows and warmed by the heat from a towering fireplace. This space serves as Jamestown's social nexus, with a wide variety of rooms leading off in different directions. Head towards the south wing and you will come across the diningroom and a pair of libraries as well as kitchen, utility and breakfast rooms on the garden level.

Due north of the entrance hall are two guestrooms, each with its own bathroom; a further three spacious guest suites can be found on the first floor and there is also another to the rear of the house at garden level.

Despite being unusually large and well-fitted, none of this accommodation is a match for the main bedroom which occupies the full space of the north wing and includes not only a vast central chamber with access to private garden but also a gym, bathroom, dressingroom, kitchen and study. With a floor area running to some 204sq m (2,200sq ft), this is bigger than most family homes.

The grounds include a vast formal parterre garden laid out behind the house and a wide expanse of pristine lawn sweeping away in front.

Despite its undeniable splendour, Jamestown is in no way daunting. "It's a fun, joyful and welcoming house," says one of the owners who confesses they're only selling because another house has caught their eye and awaits a similar transformation. Someone else will benefit from the work they've accomplished at Jamestown Court - and from the house's proximity to our improved national road network.