BROOKVILLE House, on 177 acres in Highfield, Carbury, Co Kildare was unsold at last week’s public auction in Maynooth, Co Kildare.

The estate came to the market with a beautifully restored five-bedroom Georgian residence, a fabulous courtyard, a walled garden and a farmyard, all standing on 177 acres of tillage and grassland.

In the build-up to last week’s auction, there was plenty of local and outside interest that manifested into numerous viewings over the past month.

Before a full room, selling agent REA Coonan Auctioneers, Maynooth and Celbridge, opened the bidding at €1 million.

With three bidders in contention, the sale price steadily progressed to €1.52 million, at which stage things came to a halt.

Falling short of the €1.8 million guide price, the agent withdrew the property at €1.52 million and it is believed negotiations are still underway with the highest bidder.

The present owner acquired the estate in 2009, which has since undergone a major restoration of the property and land.

The courtyard to the rear of the house, which features stables, barns and a coach house, was also modernised and a 100 foot machinery shed was built in the farmyard.

Among the three active bidders at the auction was an agent acting in trust and a person with local farming interests.