While planners throughout the Irish countryside have long deemed dormer bungalows to be the ideal living accommodation, sometimes they allow a little space for more interesting things to happen.
Maytree, on the Bray Road into Enniskerry, lies sleekly against the steep hillside. Owned by Declan Ryan, aviation tycoon, philanthropist, and son of Ryanair founder, the late Tony Ryan, it's an architect's dream – all polished limestone, smooth plasterwork, plate-glass windows and cantilevered overhangs.
It is also comfortable and atmospheric. Used as a family home, there are all the signs that boisterous boys have had a ball living here, which shows that architectural awards (it won an Opus Ireland award in 2008 for ODOS architects) can sometimes be compatible with busy family life.
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Glass box
Kilkenny limestone steps lead up to the front door on the upper floor where most of the living space is based. Turning left, you’re into a fabulous glassed-in box, which houses the kitchen and living area. This hangs out over the sloping gardens so there’s a sense of floating in space, while a built-in fireplace adds warmth to the setting.
The floor is polished concrete, as are the kitchen counter tops, which gives a sleek, chic look, softened with rich rugs and comfy sofas. Behind the kitchen area, which has a breakfast bar island unit separating the space, is a clever pantry/storage area, and then it’s back past the front door and to the bedrooms. There are three bedrooms in the current layout, plus a family bathroom, and the master bedroom is en suite. A further small room is used as a study but could make a fourth bedroom or nursery.
Floor-to-ceiling windows
All these rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, with doors opening to the garden, though you’re protected from the drop with thick glass screens to waist height. Down a flight of stairs there’s scope for further development as the huge ground floor area, which has garage doors to access it from outside, is currently used as one enormous playroom.
Open up the garage doors with a bit more glass, and this could be another lovely living space, or divide it for an additional bedroom (there is a toilet at this level which could become an en suite). A plant room leads off, which also houses the extensive security system.
Outside there’s decking at balcony level, leading off the living area, with steps down to the gardens.
Seclusion
The house measures 287sq m (3,089sq ft) and outside there are two lawns with mature planting screening the property from the road. Under the cantilevered overhang there’s a sheltered space for car parking. There is a steep bank behind, and a flight of steps, guaranteed to keep you fit, leads to a spot just begging for a viewing platform to be installed for sipping sundowners – though it’s a fair climb back down and up if you forget the ice.
Declan Ryan, who lives nearby, is selling the house by private treaty through Colliers for €850,000.
Maytree is proof – if it were needed – that the Irish countryside is ready for more adventurous architecture that is also sensitive to its surrounds.
