A classic period residence that’s only 12 years old

Built at the height of the boom, Ratholdren is a sprawling delight in a serene rural location outside Navan town, and is on the market for €795,000

Ratholdren, just outside Navan in Co Meath: the private one-acre site sits next to Ratholdren Castle
The oak country kitchen is perfect for serious cooks

In 2006, the future looked bright, with no inkling of the global financial turmoil to come –so when better to build your dream home? With three young children, Padraig and Louise Fitzsimons needed a bigger house, but after two years of fruitless searching they decided to build in Navan in Co Meath and hired architect David Duignan.

“Our brief was simple: space to move,” said Louise. ...