It is difficult without the use of too many superlatives to describe the charm of Dargle Lodge.
Set at the edge of the river Dargle, this Victorian gentleman's cottage draped in Virginia creeper and winter flowering jasmine dates from the late 1800s.
The scent of a giant mimosa – Acacia dealbata, with its yellow clusters in full bloom – floods the air to the front of the house, which is hidden from view behind electric gates.
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One of the remarkable features is the house has just two windows – the bays overlooking the front gardens.
All the remaining apertures are period French doors, which open out to various pockets in the gardens.
Home to the late advertising executive Frank O'Hare of The Creative Department, the house has a current layout of just two bedrooms – but with three reception rooms in addition to a large kitchen and informal livingroom, there are options for increasing this number.
Two reception rooms – used as a library and diningroom – flank the wide, marble-floored hallway.
Both have period fireplaces and solid French oak flooring which O’Hare installed when he added a seamless extension to the rear of the property.
Rivulet
The main bedroom, painted in salmon pink, has three sets of French windows which lead out on to a wooden deck, under which a stream flows.
The soporific lull of the rivulet is certain to guarantee a good night’s sleep.
A further highlight of the property is the kitchen – which is part of the extension – the ceiling of which rises to double height.
The use of old pine doors, rough marble flagstones and antiques give a relaxed period vibe.
It has a French country feel with hand-painted floral motifs on the Wedgewood-blue units and a large island which forms a natural boundary with the living area.
A French limestone fireplace, complete with a matching over-mantle takes centre stage, and seven sets of cobalt blue-painted French doors spill out onto the terraces.
The main bathroom – also part of the extension features travertine walls and flooring and a sunken bath.
Outside the gardens ramble through paths of granite walkways, linked in places by pergolas intertwined with knobbly Clematis.
A place for reading, a place for dining and a bank to fish off are just some of the elements that add interest to this lovely space.
Blossoms
Mostly dormant now – one can only wonder at what this offers in summer when the multitude of plants are in full bloom.
Besides the blossoms on the Acacia tree, with the heady scents of bergamot, orange and honey, the garden features a sumac tree – the lemon scented purple berries of which have been used in Arabic cuisine for centuries.
Laden with charm, beautiful interiors and magical gardens, Dargle Lodge is the kind of property many would give their eye teeth to call home.
With a footprint of 199sq m and an AMV of €800,000, the property, which is an executor's sale, will be auctioned by Peter Kenny of Knight Frank on March 9th.
