A country estate on 120 acres near Dublin has sea and mountain views and a feast of equestrian facilities, writes Robert O'Byrne.
NO DOUBT every part of this island has its own charm adn the denizens of each county believe theirs to be the best. But it must be admitted that Wicklow, the self-styled Garden of Ireland, has a particular charm. Not only is the scenary varied and yet consistently picturesque, at the same time the land is rich and the architecture often very fine.
Wicklow also possesses the advantage of access to the capital, which today is no inconsiderable asset.
All of which helps to explain why over time the county has grown ever more popular - and more populous. As a result, most of the old estates have been divided up into smaller and smaller parcels of land; Wicklow now contains more plots than the average John Grisham thriller.
What a treat, therefore, to come across a decent spread, one that runs to almost 120 acres. Jointly offered by Savills HOK and Colliers Jackson-Stops, Ballinteskin Stud lies some 5kms beyond Enniskerry on the way to Roundwood. The house at its centre stands on high ground that slopes away to offer views of both mountains and sea.
Closer to hand are a feast of equestrian facilities that ought to satisfy even the most ardent horse lover. The stud has been in operation for the past 40 years but acquired its present owners 18 months ago; they now wish to move on and find somewhere still bigger.
During their tenure both house and stud have been as thoroughly groomed as a dressage contestant. In origin, Ballinteskin appears to have been a late 18th century farm residence with a three-bay façade and a single pitched roof. It was subsequently aggrandised by the addition of a number of extensions to the rear so that the house now holds four reception rooms and at least five bedrooms (some of the other first-floor spaces being open to various uses).
The most recent addition is a splendid west-facing, stone-flagged conservatory that could serve as a diningroom. It looks onto a terrace and sheltered garden dominated by a pair of rhododendrons planted in the mid-19th century.
The other main rooms are smart but not ostentatious; though it runs to approximately 454sq m (4,887sq ft), Ballinteskin has the character of a comfortable family home. Immediately to the east lies the old courtyard, accessed through an arched gateway and, in addition to 10 loose boxes and other facilities, featuring a self-contained staff flat.
A short distance away stands a large American barn with another 16 loose boxes and below this is a recently installed outdoor arena complete with paved viewing area.
Just a short stroll away is a purpose-built helicopter hangar with a concrete outside pad; evidently the horses at Ballinteskin are used to visitors dropping by in this fashion. But that's hardly surprising because this is Wicklow, a part of the world that receives a lot of affluent callers.
Ballinteskin is being sold by private treaty for €14 million: living in Ireland's most covetable county comes at a price.
