If ever a property lived up to its name, Nascosto in Dalkey certainly does. In keeping with the Italianate theme of many parts of the south Dublin enclave, the word is Italian for seclusion. Tucked away off the main Sorrento Road, the current property was built in 2001 when its previous incarnation as a cottage was demolished, and a two-storey cottage, similar in style to many of the period houses on the road and designed by architect Vincent Traynor, was erected.
One of the stand-out features of the property is the garden. Although not large, the space is the result of 15 years of hard toil, love and attention to produce what can only be described as a magical setting.
Set out in three separate areas, the fruits of the current owners’ labour provide a cornucopia of edible delights. Along the shingle driveway set behind electric gates are pear, cherry, apple, plum and nectarine trees and the Victorian-style glasshouse offers lemons, limes, miniature oranges, and olives.
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In addition are carpets of strawberry plants and every berry imaginable – the abundant bounty of which demands space in the family freezer. Seating areas are situated to follow the path of the sun and a garden room to the rear is a perfect refuge from the rain.
The 185sq m house has the feel of a French country cottage, with a mixture of painted and white washed wooden flooring throughout. The kitchen, which has the feel of a period property, leads through a granite archway to the family dining room. Sitting in the window seat with views to the garden, one could be forgiven for thinking you were in the middle of the countryside.
The owners decided against a fourth bedroom, instead opting for an opulent master and en-suite, which stretches the entire length of the property and includes a large dressing room.
Two other bedrooms – both with generous en-suites – complete upstairs. If one was to find a flaw it would be the two reception rooms on the ground floor which feel a tad dark, further emphasised by oversized dark oak furniture and sofas. New owners could easily tackle this by removing the dividing wall to open the entire space into a dual aspect spacious drawing room.
The house is in turnkey condition, but it is really the gardens that are the show-stopper. Nascosto is for sale through Vincent Finnegan with an asking price of €1.35 million.
