Enniskerry: €2m Properties with enough land for a few ponies are a scarce commodity in the Enniskerry area, especially when in such mint condition as Glendaire, a six-bedroom dormer house new to the market with Hassett Estate Agents.
The 307sq m (3,300sq ft) house on 10 acres is expected to fetch €1.85 million when it goes under the hammer on June 28th. A plot of 2.67 acres with 130 metres of road frontage is guiding €150,000 on the same day.
Built in 1990, Glendaire comes with five large stables and four paddocks, all stud fenced. A stream runs through the lawn and off into the paddocks and a second stream flows along the eastern boundary. The house is in the townland of Old Boley, about five miles from Enniskerry on the road to Glencree. Curtlestown, with its highly-regarded primary school, is down the road.
Through electronic gates, a 1km drive opens out to the house and panoramic views over the valley. Although on raised ground, surrounding deciduous and evergreen trees provide shelter. A rockery is planted close to the house and two terraces facing south and west catch the sun. Once inside, the most striking feature is the prolific use of wood. An ash staircase and gallery landing are top-lit. In the kitchen/breakfastroom, custom-made units are spalted beech. The large window looks down the Glencree valley to the Sugarloaf.
There are four reception rooms, six bedrooms - one en suite - a study and two bathrooms. The 10 acres are divided into a lawned area, five paddocks and the stable block. The latter is in pristine condition and includes a haybarn and workshop. Most interest in the site will centre on the 133-metre road frontage and whether planning permission for a house could be obtained. Given this, the guide of €150,000 seems low. However, Glencree valley is an area of great natural beauty and the planning route could be long.
Also new to the market with Hassett is a good comparative for Glendaire. Ballybawn House - on seven acres off the Old Long Hill a few miles south of Enniskerry - is expected to achieve €1.75 million at auction on June 30th.
Ashford: €430,000 A Co Wicklow cottage that has been a family's weekend retreat for generations is on the market with Bray agency HJ Byrne Real Estate Alliance. Kiltimon Cottage is at Coynes Cross, two miles on the Dublin side of Ashford and in the Garden County's most sought-after commuter belt.
The asking price of €430,000 reflects the fact that, although comfortable and with marvellous gardens of one-eighth of an acre, the cottage will require work. The roof is watertight but corrugated and there is just one double bedroom.
A former gardener's cottage attached to Kiltimon Lodge, the property is hidden, yet is just a few hundred metres from the N11.
Included with the house is an enclosed yard with three outbuildings and a concrete-floored shed. These add 212sq m (2,300sq ft).
A winding avenue crosses a stream on its way to the cottage. This stands at one end of a garden bright with hydrangea, laurel, blue ceanothus and clematis. Tall conifers provide seclusion.
A sunroom entrance is used as a garden store at one end. Inside, the accommodation is limited but comfortable. There is a sittingroom with raised fireplace and a good-sized kitchen / breakfastroom with pine units. A double bedroom has pine-panelled walls and built-in wardrobes and a shower cubicle.
The gardens are Kiltimon Cottage's best asset - with lots of different sections and very mature.
Apart from the main garden in front of the cottage, there is a smaller lawned garden to the side. The fast-flowing stream running alongside the avenue dissects another section of the grounds.
