If you’re thinking of setting sail on the perilous seas of the property market, you could get on board number 8 Morehampton Mews, a small but very seaworthy home in the heart of Donnybrook in Dublin 4. This quirky, angular dwelling has been refurbished with a maritime theme by its owner Sam Field Corbett, inspired by his lifelong passion for boats and waterways.
Field Corbett runs Irish Ship and Barge Fabrication, which restores decommissioned heritage vessels and repurposes them for modern use. Among their projects is the MV Cill Airne, a floating restaurant, bar and bistro docked at the North Wall Quay on Dublin’s Liffey. The company also created the Escape Boats escape room experience on Dublin’s Grand Canal.
Field Corbett has used his experience as a shipwright to make the most of the available space (59sq m) at number 8. He lined the high, vaulted ceiling with American cedar timber and replaced the original clunky water tank with a solar-powered water heating tank and two small copper tanks that act as a filtered fresh water reserve. These sit in full view atop the brick chimney at the mezzanine level, like a mini ship’s engine room. “When you’ve worked on a boat, you realise the importance of conserving water,” says Field Corbett.
A swing hangs incongruously in the centre of the living room; its long pendulum means it swings very slowly, he explains, so you can get that feeling of gently rolling waves without getting seasick. Both his young sons are keen gymnasts, and often hang their gym equipment from hidden hooks in the ceiling.
The luxurious, fully tiled bathroom features a jacuzzi, a shower with rainforest head, a double sink unit and another seafaring quirk: a ship’s toilet, with a foot-powered, water-efficient electric flush mechanism. The toilet seat has a built-in ventilator system that filters off odours more effectively than any wall-mounted vent.
Field Corbett is currently using the bedroom as a home office, and the mezzanine level as his bedroom; you reach it via a 70-degree staircase with brass banisters – another maritime touch. The kitchen has built-in wall and floor cabinets, an integrated oven, gas and extractor fan and a fold-up electric counter.
He has also drawn on his experience in the music business, when he built studios for the likes of Joe Dolan, to fine-tune the acoustics at number 8. The house features a fully integrated bluetooth audio system, with plenty of power sockets and USB outlets, new owners just have to connect up their mobile phone, open their Tidal or other music app, and the house will be filled with sweet sounds. (Field Corbett’s own playlist would include The Decemberists, Billy Bragg and Nick Cave.) The cedarwood ceilings stop the sound from bouncing around too much, meaning you can have conversations without competing with the music.
If owning a stylish pad within walking distance of St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street and the city centre is what floats your boat, then this may be the perfect berth. It might also make a smart investment. Number 8 Morehampton Mews has an E1 energy rating and is on sale through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €450,000.
