Set behind two sets of electric gates lies Heathers, a Swedish-style country lodge nestled into the side of a mountain with panoramic vistas over Glencree valley. Originally built by the Collen family 20 years ago, the house was purchased nine years ago by the late Brendan McGonnell, who was inspired during a visit to Randolph Hearst’s castle La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill), and decided to develop the grounds at Heathers to create his own captivating gardens at the age of 62.
Over the years, McGonnell developed eight of the 30 acres into formal gardens including a Children’s Village – an enchanted fairy garden within the forest with 12 pastel-shaded Wendy houses, where children hop about on tree stumps; their feet never having to touch the ground.
The gardens have four ponds all fed through a stream and waterfall network, and the fountains are all powered by gravity due to the location of the site on a southerly slope. Masses of rhododendron, heathers, hostas and wild roses give year round colour.
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McGonnell employed a Feng Shui expert to help with his meditation garden, the centre piece of which, in the shape of a Maltese cross is used as an aerial marker for helicopters, as the helipad, emblazoned with a grass Celtic spiral lies adjacent.
The light filled house, standing at 510sq m (5,500sq ft) is perched at the edge of the mountain with rolling lawns to the front and forests full of wild deer to the rear. Designed by Helunds, The Swedish House Company, the house features lots of exposed beams and all four reception rooms face the views and all access the wooden deck that runs along the entire property.
McGonnell’s art and music room is thermostatically cooled as it once housed his artwork collection and features a bespoke vinyl floor with a giant size board for chess enthusiasts.
Included with the property is a separate cottage, which was the original house on the site. Used solely for entertaining, it houses a table with seating for 20 and overlooks a BBQ patio area. The cottage features a sauna and steam room as does the main house.
McGonnell's passion for vintage cars saw him install a huge garage, with sealed floors, three inch thick insulation, its own central heating system and an oxygen tent to protect his private collection which includes a 1903 Oldsmobile.
Heathers would make a stunning family home, the Scandinavian decor will outlast the changing trends of modern homes and will not date, and as for the gardens; even Mr Hearst would have been impressed.
It is for sale through estate agent Daphne L Kaye with an asking price of €1.85m.
