The past two years have seen a serious rise in activity in Dublin’s leafiest suburbs. Brennanstown Vale is a verdant stretch of road, adjoining the Green Luas line at Carrickmines, that is considered millionaires’ row in Dublin 18.
At the city limits Barrymore, number 10, is a swish home surrounded by mature trees and hornbeam hedging and set on extensive grounds that stretch to 1.2 acres.
Out front its symmetrical façade, which was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wilmslow House, is a finely balanced mix of brick and render, tucked away in a corner of this sylvan setting.
Designed by Peter Owens of Tyler Owens Architects for its owners in the early 1990s, it overlooks a green to the front and opens into a smart square hall.
From here the sense of balance throughout is visible with double smoked oak doors on either side, the set to the right leading to a formal study. On the left opening is its formal drawingroom.
The design throughout is by Susanne Mintern. The showstopper kitchen, by Deslar fitted furniture, is off an inner hall with its dark walls and cabinetry, painted in Zoffany’s Ink, contrasting with its soft white siltstone countertops. The lack of above-counter cabinets means that your eyes are immediately drawn to the gorgeous garden that wraps around the back and side of the house, washing the space in western light.
The adjoining sunroom, where there is a lantern roof to bring in more daylight, opens out to an Indian sandstone patio that faces due south.
Every so often you hear the purr of the Luas which runs parallel to the boundary of the property.
The garden is utterly gorgeous and surrounded by private hedging. The owners employ a gardener as well as two robot mowers, affectionally known as Harry and Sally. Harry’s beat is out front. Sally gets to mow the back lawn.
But the exterior is deceptive. Behind the tall surrounding hornbeam hedge is a secret second garden that extends to 0.4 of an acre. The vast lot is populated by a couple of mature apple trees and a bountiful cherry tree. This could become a fantastic kitchen garden for the green-fingered or indeed the next owner might consider building a second home here and adding an entrance on the far side of the detached house. From here there is access to a private lane and a gated shortcut to catch the Luas at Carrickmines.
The owners have enlarged the house with several extensions since they first built it and have included charming secret details.
From the inner hall there is a link to what the owners call their TV room. Dual aspect and beautifully balanced, it too opens out to the garden and includes a well-stocked bar hidden behind the very smart panelling.
Another secret space houses a mirror-walled home gym. Concealed behind more panelling, it makes very clever use of an internal void.
The wrought iron balustraded staircase has smoked oak steps by Oscar Ono, the same flooring that is in the drawing room, TV room and landing.
Here are three of the property’s bedrooms, including what had originally been the main bedroom. The original fourth bedroom has been turned into a large study, giving the house two sizeable home offices.
In 2006 the owners decided they wanted a bigger en suite bathroom but ended up constructing a two-storey extension which new houses the impressive primary bedroom suite. It includes a separate dressing room filled with glass-fronted cabinetry and large en suite with a huge shower stall, twin sinks and a bath overlooking the front green.
Another secret door at the foot of the stairs to the second floor hides an easy-to-access storage cupboard for suitcases.
On the second floor is bedroom number six, a space any teen will want first dibs on. It includes a window nook where you could scroll your device to your heart’s content and play deaf when called to meals. It too has a large shower en suite.
The property, which has a B2 Ber rating and extends to 477sq m (5,134sq ft), is seeking €3.6 million through agents Sherry FitzGerald.
