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Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Look inside: Gandon-designed Kinsealy villa with pool, padel and blocked tunnel to Haughey house
You would be hard pressed to find another property in Ireland with more architectural pedigree, political intrigue and literal underground connections than Emsworth in Kinsealy, in north Dublin. Designed by James Gandon, the architect behind some of Dublin's most iconic buildings including the Custom House, Four Courts and King's Inns, this villa, built for banker James Woodmason, has all three. Back in the 18th century, Woodmason's partner at the Beresford Woodmason Bank, John Beresford, who lived at neighbouring Abbeville (better known to most as the home of the late Charles Haughey ), had Gandon reworking the design of his house. Not to be outdone, Woodmason commissioned the architect to design a home for him beside his friend's. When the house was complete in 1794, it was agreed by the two men that a tunnel should be built to link the two properties. While tunnels in Irish big houses were not that unusual back in the day, it is believed that this half-mile-long one was built for the purposes of personal safety as opposed to convenience at a time of great unrest in the country. Emsworth, which is believed to be the only surviving Gandon-built villa in Ireland, remains a testament to the architect's work, bearing many of his signature touches, such as its elegant symmetry and curved internal walls that soften the formality of its classical proportions. Despite its history and grandeur, however, it never feels intimidating. The main house, following an extension in 2024, now has 661sq m (7,115sq ft) of accommodation set out over two floors. There is also a converted coach house and other outbuildings that have been fully restored and put to use. If the walls in this house could talk, there is little doubt that the stories would be the stuff of legend. In the 1930s, it was owned by John F Maguire who took over Brown Thomas from Selfridges. Rumour has it that Hollywood star Grace Kelly was photographed at the pool of Emsworth while Maguire was in residence. Other owners include the bon vivant Gerry McGuinness, who founded the Sunday World newspaper, as well as tax adviser to Sir Tony O'Reilly, Noel Corcoran. READ MORE Its current owner, a Dublin businessman, bought the house in 2013 and has since poured millions into upgrading, extending and modernising the property. After many great years of his children growing up here and opening the house to friends and family for parties, he has made the difficult decision to sell up as he feels he doesn't get to enjoy it as much as he used to due to work commitments. It has now been brought to the market through joint agents Sherry FitzGerald and Savills with an asking price of €9.25 million. Located just off the Malahide Road in Kinsealy, the gates open to reveal a long, gravelled driveway through the woods. Directly ahead are two water features as the driveway loops around to the front of the house. You only have to step inside the door to feel the sense of history and fun attached to this house. Behind the restored front door, with original fanlight overhead, is the curved hallway with a trapdoor behind the staircase which opens to reveal the steps down to the tunnel. New owners will be relieved to hear that this is now blocked off at both ends. [ From the archive: Haughey not only figure of political interest to have lived at Abbeville Opens in new window ] Emsworth has been brought into the 21st century with a confident and design-led renovation that is both intelligent and deeply considered. The original rooms on the ground floor include a drawingroom, diningroom and sittingroom that were clearly laid out for entertaining as they flow into each other, and have large sash windows designed by Gandon to open out to the gardens. All the period features – the shutters, ceiling roses, cornicing, architraves and fireplaces – have been meticulously maintained and restored, with the owner singing the praises of the conservation architects who helped him throughout the project. Drawingroom Diningroom Sittingroom Home office When it came to adding something new to the old villa, it could be said that the house was handed over from one great architect to another. Experts at the award-winning Henry J Lyons were commissioned two years ago to design a kitchen extension that would not scream at the original design, but would take the house further along on its architectural journey. The result is a contrasting, though by no means jarring, modern, light-filled space with 6m-high ceilings and an Andrew Ryan-designed kitchen that opens out to terraces on all three sides. Kitchen The new 'den' behind this is the real party room of the house, with a glass circle in the floor revealing the original well below, and a discreet bar behind a wall of black presses. Den in new extension The four bedrooms are on the first floor, each with its own unique design. The principal room, designed by Arlene McIntyre of Ventura Design, is classical and understated with a small staircase down to the en suite bathroom with double marble sink and a double shower unit. Bedroom Lounge Outdoor terrace The accommodation extends to a converted coach house that has an open-plan living area with vaulted ceiling that includes a kitchen and a spiral staircase up to two bedrooms, a bathroom and an office on the mezzanine. Coach house Outdoor seating area at the coach house There is also a fully equipped gym in a converted outhouse with a separate room for a sauna and plunge pool, as well as a Pilates studio. Beside this is a garage with a triple-door access and there is also a temperature-controlled wine cellar. Gym Sauna and plunge pool Wine cellar The outdoor pool is heated and has a barbecue area built beside it. Beyond this is another covered entertainment space that has been designed for year-round use, with infrared heaters, integrated TV and a built-in music system. Pool and barbecue area Heated swimming pool Entertainment area Emsworth, with the coach house in the foreground and main house to the rear There are 17 acres of landscaped grounds around the house, with a Hartley Edwardian glasshouse among them. There an additional 23.5 hectares (58 acres) of freehold land included in the sale that are currently leased to Teagasc on a fixed long-term lease. Landscaped grounds Aerial view of estate Sustainability is high on the agenda for the owner with, a range of modern technologies used to keep the house running smoothly, as well as the installation of solar panels that are supported by an energy storage unit. Sporting enthusiasts will find it difficult to pull themselves away from the property that, along with the outdoor pool and fully equipped gym, also has floodlit tennis and padel courts, a golf practice area and a multi-use astro pitch. Hartley Edwardian glasshouse Multi-use astro pitch and padel court All this along with the proximity to Dublin Airport makes Emsworth a rare blend of past and present, wrapped in privacy and natural beauty, with just enough myth and scandal to keep the guests entertained at the parties that the house was built for.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
£1.5 million East Cowes fort dating back to late 1700s up for sale
A Grade II listed Isle of Wight fort dating back to the late 1700s is up for sale. Fort Norris, on Millfield Avenue in East Cowes, is on the market through agents Susan Payne Property with a guide price of £1,500,000. The house, which is brimming with historical character and original features, is tucked away in a private location accessible via a secluded lane. The property, which once served as a gate lodge to Norris Castle, was designed by architect James Wyatt and is said to have welcomed a young Princess Victoria. Read more: Stunning Victorian Isle of Wight property with home cinema and pool for sale 17th century Gatcombe farmhouse with 15 acres of land for sale (Image: Susan Payne Property) (Image: Susan Payne Property) The grand entrance vestibule and richly panelled sitting room adorned with 17th-century woodwork reflect the property's rich history. The turret's spiral staircase leads to an observation platform, previously used for semaphore communications, offering sweeping views over the Solent. The property is set within three-quarters of an acre of well-established grounds, surrounded by a stone wall. (Image: Susan Payne Property) (Image: Susan Payne Property) The house comprises of an entrance vestibule, hall, large living room, and a dining room which doubles as a study. The ground floor also houses a large primary bedroom with sunroom and ensuite cloakroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The upper floors are accessed via a winding staircase, with a bedroom on each. (Image: Susan Payne Property) (Image: Susan Payne Property) The property also boasts a self-contained guest suite with an ensuite and separate entrance. The grounds are a blend of stone terraces, lawns, and mature planting, creating a variety of outdoor seating and dining areas. The property also features a large garage/workshop, summerhouse, and an assortment of sheds. (Image: Susan Payne Property) (Image: Susan Payne Property) The garage, equipped with twin double-doors, fitted workbenches, and storage space, also benefits from power and lighting. The rear grounds, enclosed by a wall, are richly planted with mature perennials and specimen shrubs. Lawns combine with stone pathways and terraces to create a variety of outdoor seating and dining areas, ideal for alfresco living. A timber summerhouse adds versatility for storage or garden leisure use, and an assortment of sheds provide further useful storage options. A historic water well is also located in the grounds.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kirkham Estate visited by queen and Winston Churchill for sale
A historical estate complete with the remains of a medieval priory, which was once visited by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, has gone on sale for £ on the edge of the Howardian Hills between the North York Moors and York, the Kirkham Estate is on the market for the first time in more than a estate includes the Grade II listed country house Kirkham Hall and the remains of an Augustinian priory at Kirkham Coleman, from estate agents GSC Grays, said they had also discovered a secret room hidden behind a bookcase. The estate, which was once under the guardianship of The Brotherton Family, was inherited by Anne Henson, who owned it up until her death in that, its history saw Kirkham Abbey being used by the military for testing equipment in preparation for the D-Day landings in jeeps and other military vehicles were put through their paces at the priory and on the banks of the nearby River March that year, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth visited the priory to inspect troops and watch military after, the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill paid a visit to the top-secret base to witness preparations. Mr Coleman said it was Mrs Henson's wish for the estate, which also included a farming enterprise of about 845 acres, more than 215 acres of managed woodland and 11 cottages, be sold as a whole."She wanted someone who could afford to live there and love it as she did," he said."The whole place gives you a feeling of glamour and splendour, which you would normally see in a much bigger house like Castle Howard."Walking around the hall, Mrs Henson's "quirky and interesting" character still left a strong impression, Mr Coleman the basement area, which was once the staff quarters, drawings on the walls give a snapshot into the informal parties Mrs Henson would hold. Mr Coleman said: "I only met her briefly, sadly at the end of her life, but she was a great character who loved to entertain."There's a wonderful room downstairs, which turned out to be an informal party room with drawings on the wall of caricatures of the great and the good coming here to party over the last 40 or 50 years."Elsewhere, in the library room, a close-up inspection of one bookcase reveals a secret door that leads to another Coleman explained: "In the olden days, a lot of castles had secret areas where the laird or owner of the house could listen in on conversations and you could still hear what was going on." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
