In the 1980s, just outside the Co Wicklow village of Delgany, Easton, a small enclave of detached houses on large plots, was built to individual designs. The land had been part of Easton House, once the home of Count Michael Koutouzoff Tolstoy who lived in Delgany from about 1959 until his death in 1980.
Since then as Dublin’s commuter belt has expanded and particularly, in more recent years, this part of north Wicklow has seen its population grow as developments have sprung up and local amenities have improved. It still maintains its rural feel though, with easy access to Greystones and the N11.
The owner of Strawberry Fields, a detached property with 334sq m (3,595sq ft) bought it 21 years ago, moving from Killiney in south Dublin for a more rural environment and a large garden; the house sits on 1.3 acres, with a long driveway and the now mature gardens wrapping around the two-storey house.
The ground floor is built around a large inner hallway, a space mirrored on the upper floor where glazed doors open from the gallery-style landing out to a small terrace with distant sea views. There are four bedrooms up here – all doubles, one en suite – as well as the family bathroom. Another room downstairs has been used as a fifth bedroom.
The living accommodation downstairs is made up of a good-sized kitchen with utility, opening into a family room and on to a conservatory. There is also another living room and study.
The detached double garage has been converted into a games room complete with snooker table and bar; for new owners it could become a work studio or au pair accommodation. While the owner has upgraded the property in recent years, making improvements including extra insulation, new windows and solar panels – new owners will almost certainly do some upgrading of their own, such as installing a new kitchen, and redecorating throughout. The Ber is C3.
The garden has been informally divided into areas – the keen gardener has a small greenhouse – and it includes seating areas in sun spots, a patio outside the kitchen, and a putting green.
The owner is now downsizing, selling Strawberry Fields through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €1.375 million.
