If ever there was a year that would appear to support the theory that humans went through a semi-aquatic phase of evolution, it was that of 2020. Though the controversial theory – first mentioned in the New Scientist in 1960 – is widely disputed, the seaside town of Greystones has been attracting those taking to the water long before the activity became a refuge from the ennui of Covid-19.
The Co Wicklow seaside town has become a mecca for those in search of a healthy lifestyle choice. An hour from Dublin by car, the village lies at the end of the Dart line, and is known for its yoga on the beach, healthy food emporiums and even has its own playhouse, the Whale Theatre.
Add sailing, surfing, angling and diving to its proximity to the Wicklow Mountains for hillwalking, and you can see why it has become a dream destination for the health conscious to reside. With working from home becoming more of a long-term option along with hybrid working models, it seems to cement its attraction as a cool and healthy place to live. Due to this, prices have risen accordingly.
Perched just 20m from the water's edge is Carriglea, a semi-detached Victorian house on Marine Road. The iconic, duck-egg blue property, which occupies a corner site, dates back to 1870. A century ago people lived in Greystones and also undertook the daily commute to Dublin for work. Richard Keene Gamble and his wife, Hannah, lived here from 1910 until about 1922. Gamble, a barrister and president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, would have had the same commute that many residents of the seaside town have today from the railway station that first opened its doors in 1855.
The five-bedroom house has the same layout as it would have done in Gamble’s time. Extending to 188sq m (2,025sq ft), it is now in need of refurbishment – but the bones of an elegant seaside home are all there, including sash windows, period fireplaces and original floorboards.
It will be the proximity to the sea, though, and the uninterrupted maritime views that will make some house hunters fall hook, line and sinker for the house, which has a Ber of G and has been launched on the market through O’Gorman Properties, seeking €1.395 million.
