Country estates will always remain at the top of the pile if you want to lord it, by Garreth Murphy

It is perhaps the dream of anyone who has ever read Brideshead Revisited - a palatial country pile where you can lord it over your demesne as you hark - back to an era of nobility, a time when things were done 'right'.

Luckily for us now, we have an abundance of such estates beacuse of the historic role of landlords in Ireland. Colliers Jackson-Stops has just launched its Irish Country Property brochure, a glossy heavy-weight supplement, boasting more than 30 country manors from around Ireland, with prices from just above €1m to more than €14m.

These stately manors are aimed at such a small, high-net-worth sector of the market that chances are that they will eventually sell.

'It all depends on the propery and its character', says Harriet Grant of Knight Frank, which, like Colliers Jackson-Stops, specialises in the sale of stately homes. 'If the property is well located and has a number of appealing features and character, there is usually interest.'

And though they may not get as many viewers as some other homes, that doesn't mean there's no interest. Often the people who arrange viewings of large country houses are rather serious about buying.

However, Edward Townshend of Colliers Jackson-Stops says that there has been a slowdown in this particular market.

'The country homes sector isn't untouched by the forces affecting other sectors of the housing market. People are sitting on the fence more before making their decision, but people are still looking.'

Certainly, there is no shortage of choice available, ranging from more traditional homes with large holdings to stately manors befitting of the landed gentry.

For the latter, look no further than the Hollywood House estate, Glenealy, Co Wicklow. This six-bedroom Georgian house certainly lives up to its title, conjuring up images of bygone glamour and decadence.

But with a price tag of €9m, dual agents Colliers Jackson-Stops and Knight Frank are obviously seeking buyers with movie star budgets.

Dating back to about 1760 but extensively remodelled after a fire in the late 19th century, the estate covers about 50 acres.

Size in this country manor is not an issue, with the internal dimensions of the main house extending to about 929sq.m. (10,000 sq.ft.).

The estate also includes a gate lodge, courtyard, guest house, paddocks and a very mature woodland which surrounds the main property.

On sale for €1.95m through dual agents Knight Frank and Colliers Jackson-Stops is Lenham Lodge in Milford, Co Carlow, a period house lovingly restored with a hint of modernity, ensuring that it would make a comfortable family home.

Located about 6km from Carlow town, Lenham Lodge was originally built in 1815 as a fishing residence for the Butlers of Ormonde. Sitting close to the banks of the River Barrow, the main house is approximately 343sq.m. (3,700 sq.ft.) and has five bedrooms. The ground floor includes three large reception rooms and a large kitchen. Two of the largest bedrooms are ensuite.

The restoration project has been sensitively handled, with period features like decorative cornices, wood-panelled door surrounds, window shutters and double skirting boards all maintained. Potential buyers may also be interested to note that the three accompanying two-bed cottages and a one-bed annex - known locally as Lenham Stables - are currently let out and bring in a total income of €28,800 per annum.