Up the hill from Enniskerry village, on nearly an acre, is Dunsallagh House. It was built just 20 years ago at a time when one-off prestige builds tended to feature vast glass windows, clean lines and nods to modernism. However, Dunsallagh’s original owner looked to a former time for inspiration in the striking-looking Victorian Gothic-influenced design with its stone-clad exterior, turret, and arched detailing in the small-paned windows.
At 419sq m (4,510sq ft) spread over three floors this is a substantial family house with five double bedrooms, the largest of which has French windows opening to a neat turreted balcony with distant sea views; a reminder that as well as mountains and forests, in this county there’s also easy access to the sea.
In addition to this luxurious spot for breakfast or summer reading, this bedroom also has a walk-in wardrobe and a large en suite updated by the present owners just last year. They bought Dunsallagh in 2004 and are now downsizing and moving from Wicklow to be closer to the city and nearer to family.
While the bedrooms are impressive, this house is all about the living accommodation which ranges from a snooker room and tiny gym at the top of the house to the sun room with its vaulted ceilings, limestone fireplace and tumble marble flooring.
The exterior may have clear Gothic influences, but inside there’s an airy brightness with high ceilings throughout and many rooms enjoying a dual aspect. The double-height entrance hall gets its drama from its curved staircase with black wrought iron rails and the tall windows throwing light into the hall and landing.
Off the hall are two reception rooms and the spacious kitchen fitted with top-end appliances and features including a substantial granite-topped island. There’s an atmospheric dining area in the turret but a young family buying the property this time out will probably go for a larger table – there’s definitely enough space.
In addition there’s a purpose-built study, a utility, bathrooms, a laundry room (located upstairs, American-style) and several storage rooms.
The gardens have matured considerably since the house was last on the market. It is now surrounded by tall hedges, the sweeping driveway is fringed by lush borders and the deep sandstone patio rises to a lawned area. A detached garage sits to the side.
The location, just a stroll from the village and with neighbours nearby, including those moving into Redwood, a new development of eight detached houses, will appeal to buyers at this level who are looking for spacious Wicklow living but with ready access to shops and transport. Dunsallagh House, Kilgarron Hill, is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €2.6 million.
