Co Galway: Families looking for an exceptional home near Galway will inevitably buy into Barna Demesne for its style, privacy, wonderful walks and great sea views, writes Jack Fagan, Property Editor

A development of 34 large apartments and coach-houses going on the market this weekend at Barna, on the edge of Galway Bay, is the most exclusive and expensive ever launched in Galway.

Two and three-bedroom apartments will range from €533,450 to €771,800 and there will be a top price of €1,570,840 for an exceptionally fine 372 sq m (4,000 sq ft) penthouse.

Andrew Heffernan of Keane Mahony Smith's Galway office is handling sales.

Apart altogether from the superb quality of the homes, the location in the heavily wooded Barna Demesne, about four miles from the centre of Salthill, will undoubtedly be a strong selling point.

The Galway-based company, Edward Holdings, led by Gerry Barrett, has developed two apartment blocks, each with 14 apartments on either side of the 18th century Barna House which is also being remodelled and converted into three stunning units.

The 18th century house, built on a grand scale and standing three storeys over basement, was once the centrepiece of a large estate owned by the Lynch family, one of the leading Galway tribes. The building had fallen into disrepair and was unoccupied for many years until it was acquired along with six acres, previously used as a caravan park.

The intricate restoration work is being carried out by a large team of skilled craftsmen and rather than subdivide the large rooms, the beautiful proportions have been retained to provide opulent living. When the work is completed, residents can once again look across Silver Strand towards the hills of Clare and the limestone lands of the Burren.

Two two-bedroom apartments in the house with almost 139 sq m (1,500 sq ft) of floor space will be priced at €600,000 while the 372 sq m (4,000 sq ft) penthouse on the two top floors will be available at €1,570,840. Three coach-houses at the front of the site with their own gardens are also being redeveloped and will cost just over €600,000.

Both the old and the new buildings are discreetly hidden away in ancient woodlands which form an enclave along the large public park protecting Rusheen Bay. The area remains largely unspoiled and if Galway Co Council has its way there will be no further developments along the bay. The two new apartment blocks are both stylish and impressive. The fit-out is among the best this reviewer has seen in recent years. Edward Holdings has spared nothing on the homes which will be ready to move into early in the new year.

There are only four apartments on each floor to share the lift, lobbies and inner hall. The apartments are laid out with large hallways and extensive living, dining and balcony areas. Unusually, all of them have a separate utility room, something seldom found in apartments. Most of them have floor areas of around 111.07 sq m (1,194 sq ft) but there is also a handful of units both slightly smaller and a bit bigger.

The show apartment on the ground floor is by no means the best located of the homes going for sale but for sheer comfort and high quality finish it would be hard to beat.

There is a stunning kitchen/diningroom with cherry beech wall and floor units, polished granite worktops and integrated electrical appliances.

There is a terrific oak floor and eight foot high matching internal doors. Large windows overlook the woodlands and there is a huge balcony suitable for al fresco dining during the type of long summer evenings we experienced this year. Another attractive feature is the gas fireplace with stone fire surround. Bedrooms are nearly all doubles and come with a good range of wardrobes. Main bedrooms have good-sized en suites fully tiled with granite worktops and timber veneer panelling.

Families looking for an exceptional home near Galway will inevitably buy into Barna Demesne for its style, privacy, wonderful walks and great sea views.