Co Kildare/€7.5m: One of the best houses at the K Club is on the market, writes Emma Cullinan
A lavishly refurbished house at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare is for sale at €7.5 million through Simon Ensor of Sherry FitzGerald. The house, overlooking the Ryder Cup golf course, comes with two full memberships of the K Club, worth €120,000, and tickets to the Ryder Cup in September.
Number 15 Churchfields is one of a row of modern detached houses at what is considered the best address at the club. The two-storey house is being sold by solicitor Frank Ward, a past president of the club. Neighbours include some of the wealthiest families in Ireland: Michael Smurfit who is building a 2,787sq m (30,000sq ft) house across the fairway, while property developers Sean Mulryan and Sean Dunne also have large houses nearby. IT millionaire Sarah Newman, who recently sold her hotel booking business for €60 million has recently purchased a home there.
Every house on Churchfields is detached and of a different design, and number 15 makes reference to classical design in its columns, both inside and out, and its Palladian plan. Essentially, it is a square house surrounding a central, top-lit hall.
This marble-floored hall at the entrance to the house gives an immediate indication of the property's grand scale - which is enhanced by deep windows and tall doorways. To the right of the entrance hall is a study.
Overlooking the fairway on the ground floor are two large reception rooms, with many tall windows brightening the interior which is decorated in tones running from white through taupes and coffee to dark brown, including the dark timber floor. The kitchen - linked to a dining area beside one of the receptions - has sleek white and brown units with Neff and Zanussi appliances. Off this is a utility room that is the size of most people's kitchens.
The bathroom on the ground floor is very much like a hotel facility, with the basin in one room and the WC next door. Stairs in the hallway, that sweep past a window, take you to the first floor with its long balcony overlooking the fairway, which will be handy for viewing the Ryder Cup among other tournaments.
All four generously-sized bedrooms have en suites, including the huge main bedroom which has access to its bathroom via a walk-in wardrobe. Two of the bedrooms overlook the golf course.
Other houses on K Club lands include a scheme of townhouses called Ladycastle, beside the south course. There's also an older scheme, in a beautiful layout around planted courtyards, beside the K Club spa.
Who has homes at the K Club
Entrepreneur Sarah Newman, who recently sold hotel booking business for €60 m is a recent buyer at the K Club. Property developers Sean Dunne and Sean Mulryan have large homes on the Ryder Cup golf course, where Michael Smurfit is currently building himself a vast new house.
Gerry Gannon, who has a 50 per cent share in the K Club, has a substantial house there, as does Ben Dunne, property developer Noel Smyth and auctioneer Arthur French. Gerry Houlihan of DID Electric calls the K Club home, as does one of Ireland's biggest housebuilders, Seamus Ross of Menolly Homes. The big celebrity name linked to the K Club is Bill Clinton, who was to have bought a house there but didn't because of the publicity surrounding his near-purchase, and the security hassle of owning a home outside the US.
