Rockfel was a filly who won the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks, was known as “the perfect racing machine” and reckoned among the very best of 20th century fillies. She died young.
She is not forgotten. Rockfel, a detached, five-bed house in the centre of 0.55 acres of tree-lined gardens, is named for her and has been a family home to the vendor and family for 27 years. The Irish Field editor for 15 years, Leo Powell, says he can, "without prejudice, recommend it as a family home. Rockfel has a lovely karma, it's a comfortable, friendly house".
They bought from a family who had built and lived in Rockfel since about 1978 and, in 2006, added a conservatory, en suites to two bedrooms, a large family bathroom, converting the attic “to a wonderful escape spot for the children” and the diningroom to a library (with Stanley stove) for their book collection, “a place for reflection and time out”. The gardens, front, back and sides, “were already set out when we bought so we’ve simply looked after them ever since”.
Rockfel has a floor area of 265sq m (2,852sq ft), two of its five bedrooms are en suite, it has living and familyrooms, a library, dining/conservatory, attic room, utility and family bathroom. Agent Sherry FitzGerald O'Reilly is seeking €525,000.
In as fertile a spot as you could find in verdant Co Kildare, Rockfel has impressively tall evergreens to the front, a mini-orchard of apple trees to the rear and gravelled parking for several cars. There are views of the countryside from many rooms, notably the dual-aspect familyroom.
The cream fitted kitchen has garden views and Velux windows for extra light, the diningroom/conservatory also overlooks the garden and has a tiled floor. All of the bedrooms have oak floors, the attic room is carpeted and has Velux windows.
Rockfel is minutes from Naas and Newbridge, and a two-minute drive to junction 10 of the M7.