From the understated equestrian wallpaper in the downstairs toilet to the paintings around the house, there are a few subtle indications in Woodlane, on Quarry Road, Rathmichael, Co Dublin, that a family steeped in equine tradition live here.
The house is home to Yvonne and the late Noel O'Callaghan, who after leaving their large Georgian home, Aubrey House in Shankill, decided to build a more manageable residence with the combined purpose of entertaining and creating an intimate family home.
Noel, an international bloodstock agent and founding member of BBA Ireland, the Irish bloodstock agency, travelled throughout Asia and the Middle East purchasing thoroughbred horses. He pioneered Irish equine relations with Japan and the Japanese garden at Woodlane is testament to his links with the country.
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Zen garden
The house, which includes a separate guest lodge, is situated behind electric gates on carefully manicured gardens, with meandering paths through walls of agapanthus and a Zen garden with a waterside gazebo. There are extensive sandstone patios surrounding the house designed to catch day long sunshine, interspersed with raised brick planters laden with flowers.
The immense oak front door is an indication of the scale of the rooms within. The drawingroom, with triple aspect windows is beautifully proportioned with high ceilings and all the elegance of a period home. It leads through to a smaller diningroom with French windows to the garden. This room also houses a wheelchair lift which ascends directly to a bedroom upstairs and could, if not required by new owners, be easily closed off with very little impact to the room.
Off the diningroom a butler’s pantry/utility room leads into the kitchen. Painted in pale creams this space features built-in Miele, Neff and Smeg appliances and is warmed underfoot with solid oak flooring. Taking centre stage is a huge butcher’s block which can be moved for ease of entertaining.
The family study, with its walls of bespoke library shelving can be closed off to create a cosy environment, and sits alongside a spacious sunroom, which thanks to the timber ceiling can be used year round.
Minstrel gallery
A large staircase sweeps to the left and right meeting at a minstrel gallery upstairs – crying out for a string quartet. Off the staircase are the four bedrooms. The master, complete with a separate dressingroom and his-and-hers bathrooms, is the size of many small apartments in the city. Woodlane would make a fine family home, its spacious reception rooms and cosy library achieve the O’Callaghan’s dream of a house with gracious entertaining space combined with intimate family rooms.
To the rear of the house is a guest lodge which has been used by the owners for visiting family members. It would also suit as a staff cottage or permanent accommodation for an older family member.
An antique fireplace and wide plank Douglas fir flooring in the livingroom give a period vibe as does the exposed antique fire mantle. Upstairs the master bedroom is situated on a floodlit mezzanine. A further bedroom, kitchenette and study complete the lodge. Adjacent lies a double garage and a large dog run which equally could work as a chicken coop.
The 367sq m (3,953sq ft) house and guest lodge are for sale through estate agent Daphne L Kaye with an asking price of €1.7million.
