Splendid white house sweeping down to river has colourful past

The former home of Glen Dimplex chairman Martin Naughton is back on the market. The businessman spent almost £1 million restoring Milestown House, near Castlebellingham, Co Louth, before moving to Stackallen House, close to Navan six years ago.

Mr Naughton used Milestown House extensively for business entertaining during his 13 years there and many top British snooker players had exhibition games in the basement snooker room.

Milestown House is now on the market through Hamilton Osborne King who are seeking offers in excess of £1.3 million.

The elegant white two storey over basement house is set on 22 acres and has splendid well-planted gardens sweeping down to the River Glyde. It also has an indoor heated swimming pool complex, an all-weather tennis court as well as a squash court. The house has six bedrooms and a two-bedroom caretaker's apartment. It dates originally from the Georgian period but was burnt down during the Troubles and completely reconstructed in period style with many features salvaged from the burning wreckage.

Security is a high priority with the grounds entered through electronically controlled wrought iron gates. The house is approached by a long tree-lined drive leading into a gravelled forecourt with a feature fountain.

Steps lead to a large entrance porch, with parquet timber floor, and into a magnificent reception hall with pine beams and a handsome central wooden staircase. At one end of the room, is an oak carved mantelpiece rescued from the fire in 1923.

The finest room, however, is a large drawingroom - almost 30 feet long. It is bow-shaped, with exquisite plasterwork and a fine marble fireplace as well as three large windows overlooking the river. Also off the hall is a diningroom with a marble mantelpiece and more decorative cornicing. There is a fully fitted kitchen with some expensive appliances included in the sale and a spacious utility room. An indoor squash court has an overhead viewing gallery.

The six bedrooms upstairs are all large and tastefully laid out. The main bedroom has a sittingroom attached, with a fitted drinks cabinet and sink unit, as well as a built-in fridge. Along with a dressingroom, there is a bathroom with a jacuzzi bath set in a marble surround. Two of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and one has a shower room. The basement is for fun and games with a billiards room with panelled walls as well as a fully fitted bar. The caretaker's apartment has two bedrooms with a living/dining area and a kitchen with a Stanley cooker.

There is a large double garage and a swimming pool complex in the grounds with its own boiler and conservatory.

The house is between Castlebellingham and Kilsanan villages on the N1. It is 45 minutes from the airport and within easy driving distance of both Dublin and Belfast.