There is something magical about the views from the end of Balscadden Road in Howth. It is no wonder that this is the spot where Molly Bloom finally succumbed to Leopold's advances in James Joyce's Ulysses, and also where WB Yeats believed: "there is a fairies path, whereon a great colony of otherworld creatures travel nightly from the hill to the sea and home again."
Grattan Lodge is one of the last houses on the road before the cliff walk starts and was the former coachhouse to the period house which lies opposite. Only the gates give an indication to its former use, as the entire house has been inverted – with living and dining space now located upstairs to maximise the maritime views.
The property was purchased by its current owners in 1988 who lived here for a decade before completely renovating the property.
The entrance at garden level is through the old coach doors which lead into a cobbled courtyard. Inside are three double bedrooms, the biggest of which is en suite. Also at this level is a fine sized utility – which was formerly the old kitchen,
Upstairs is accessed via a wide spiral staircase that leads into the kitchen. There is access here to an upper garden carved into the lunar like granite rock. "We have had over 60 here for barbecues," say the owners who have placed their charming home on the market through Sherry FitzGerald with a €1.5 million asking price. The property measures 182sq m (1,959sq ft) and lies on a generous one-acre site.
Tiered gardens
It is the upper floor, in conjunction with the views and extensive tiered gardens, that is the real selling point of the property. The old beams, hidden for more than a century behind a faux ceiling, are now exposed, serving as a reminder of the property’s heritage. An indoor plant is happily growing around the beams over the dining space – which features an open fire. This room opens into an L-shaped living space with a small wood-burning stove.
Adjacent lies a study, with a further fireplace and an original latticed window. This room could also work as a fourth bedroom.
There is parking inside the courtyard, but also outside on the road – which is a cul-de-sac. For entertaining there is an abundance of parking just up the road in the parking area for the cliff walk.
Last year a charming black cat moved in with the owners, and now surveys the sea vistas from his perch at a window. HG Wells remarked that the panorama here has "the finest views west of Naples," and it looks like the formidable feline might agree.
