Ireland's most costly house withdrawn

It was once Ireland’s most expensive house, but now Walford on Shrewsbury Road in Dublin's embassy belt has been withdrawn from the market.

At the height of the property boom, Walford sold for a reported €58 million in mid-2005, soaring above the guide price of €35 million.

Bought by an entity known as Matsack Nominees Ltd, the beneficial owner was known to be Gayle Killilea, wife of property developer Seán Dunne.

Property firm Lisney, which was appointed joint agent with Savills, confirmed the property had been taken off the market, but did not say why the decision had been made.

The detached Edwardian residence sits on 1.8 acres and looks out on to Dublin’s most expensive residential road. However, last year it was listed with a reserve price of €15 million, 75 per cent below its selling price, and invited interested parties to submit tenders for the property by October 27th last.

Built in 1902, the house was owned by the Duggan family since the mid-1950s. However, it is now in need of complete refurbishment, with two 18th-century marble fireplaces in the main reception rooms removed by thieves while it was vacant for six years.