Ross Lodge is a traditional homestead set in Glencree Valley with bucolic views and wildlife aplenty. On the property there is a babbling brook and it has river frontage onto Glencree River, with a swimming hole at a bend in the river and plenty of trout to catch.
This is one home in Ireland that has no need for a water meter. At night you’re lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river running by, and you can sleep soundly, safe in the knowledge that this resource is free to use for this household – the owners take their water directly from the river. The water quality depends on the weather, the owner explains.
“If it’s been raining a lot then the water has a peaty brown colour that may not look appealing but gives your skin a baby-soft quality.” The house has a water filter in the kitchen that ensures “memorable cups of tea”.
The original part of the house was built 200 years ago, with a second cottage, built parallel to the original building, added 30 years ago.
The old farmhouse is where the sittingroom is located. It has a pitched roof with tongue-and-groove panelling and ceiling heights of about 12 feet. While the outline of the original hearth is still visible, it has been bricked up to make a standard-size fireplace. The new owner could open it back up.
In keeping with the original layout, one of the three bedrooms is situated off the sittingroom. The other two bedrooms are at the far end of the house, in what were originally outhouses.
This part of the house has a corrugated iron roof. At the moment, the two rooms interconnect because the owner removed the bedroom doors but these could easily be rehung.
In the 1980s, when the family extended the property they added an open-plan kitchen-cum-diningroom and a family room complete with multi-fuel-burning stove.
The house is showing some signs of damp and has a G BER rating. The next owner might be tempted to, as they say in these parts, “tumble” most of it and build something completely modern and energy efficient that takes better advantage of the surrounding spectacular, subject to planning permission. The property includes three stables, a double-stand barn and other outhouses.
There is an abundance of wildlife, from pheasant and red deer in the back field to glimpses of our native red squirrel, recently reintroduced to the valley.
Across the water is Oak Glen, a walkers’ paradise. Ross Lodge is located in the townland of Ballyross, about four miles outside Enniskerry on the Glencree road.
The property, which measures 117sq m (1,269sq ft) is asking €550,000 through agents SherryFitzGerald.
