In Ireland’s revived love affair with period homes, some seem to have forgotten the architecture of more recent decades, particularly the 1970s. Yes, it’s the decade that brought us flares and disco, but it also ushered in some seriously good design.
Rockall, a detached four-bed, up a quiet lane from Killiney village and on sale through agent Vincent Finnegan, has a bright and open layout. It makes the most of its hillside site, with comfortable accommodation and views to conjure with.
At the front, a secluded patio captures the morning sun, while inside the bright living/dining room has a picture window that makes the most of the light. This long room has a working fireplace and French windows out to the back garden.
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On this level there is also a kitchen and cloakroom, plus a garage.
The same owners have lived here since the house was built, but as Rockall also has off-street parking, the new owners may want to convert this into more living space. At the back, the garden has been cut into rock, which creates a sense of tasty drama for outside eating. It’s also private.
Upstairs you get four bedrooms and a bathroom. All the bedrooms are doubles, but the two at the front are what it’s really all about, as the extra height lets you see the sweep of Killiney Bay to the Wicklow Mountains, and Killiney Hill (more properly known as Victoria Hill), with its iconic obelisk on top. It’s so close I can spot a red setter gambolling about and snuffling up to an approaching dog. At the bottom of the hill, a former folly has been opened up as a coffee shop, while in Killiney village, amenities include the Druid’s Chair pub and a shop.
And, if the area wasn’t charming enough already, opposite, on a patch of land preserved in statute so long as animals live on it, are Jedward, a pair of donkeys (James and Edward), who are firm favourites with the resident children.
Further down the hill in one direction is Dalkey, perhaps a 20-minute walk, and in the other is Killiney Dart station. A bus stops at the end of the road.
The 1970s didn’t “do” pretentious design – it didn’t really go in for gimmicks or favour the formal over the comfortable – but what that era’s house designers really did understand was how to make the most of light, space and site, and Rockall has them all.
