"Today you would think you were looking out on the Atlantic," says Harry Meyer of stormy views from his home overlooking Blessington Lakes.
Sorrel Lee has been home to Harry and Hazel Meyer for the past 25 years.
When they bought the 2.2-acre field it now sits on, the residents at the time were 50 sheep. “It is such a lovely site as it is surrounded by natural stone walls, and used to be the potato field for the village of Lacken.”
In olden times rural neighbours came together to till and assist in the saving of crops, in what is known by the old Irish term as meitheal. That sense of community still exists in this country village, which is just 45 minutes from Dublin Airport.
When the Meyers moved to Lacken, they were unsure “how we would fit in”, but now what they will miss most – besides their lovely lakeside home – is that sense of community. Harry, who was headmaster of The King’s Hospital School for many years, and Hazel, who was secretary of Castletown House, immersed themselves in the community, making great friends along the way.
“Just as we moved in, the Blessington Millennium Choir was taking off, and as I sing and Hazel plays, it was a lovely way to start our life here,” recalls Harry.
In addition, the couple became involved in the local University of Third Age (U3A) initiative, where Hazel has been secretary. This is a social group for older people with lectures and trips centred on everything from archaeology to art, with offshoots such as walking and writers’ clubs.
Their three-bedroom home is a design based on a cluster of three traditional cottages, and the views – through triple-glazed windows – which change by the hour, are spectacular.
When they bought the site, Harry planted 600 native trees, which now act as wind shelter on the slopes of Sorrel Hill. Thinning these oak, hornbeam, birch and beech provides annual fuel supplies for the two wood-burning stoves in the 208sq m (2,242sq ft) home.
As you would expect, Sorrel Lee – a name taken from the mountain Sorrel Hill, in which the house nestles – is laden with wild sorrel and there is also an abundance of wild garlic at this time of year. Just up the road, farming neighbours have honesty boxes at their gates, whereby customers can buy fresh eggs and root vegetables. Summer farmers’ markets in nearby Russborough House and Crimin’s Butchers in Blessington also provide a wealth of locally sourced produce.
The area is a haven for walkers, and sailing enthusiasts are busy on the lakes from April to September. The local sailing club runs courses throughout the summer, keeping local children occupied on the water.
The Meyers are moving to Kilkenny to be close to their daughter, and while Sorrel Lee has been home for the first part of their retirement, it would also suit an urban working family that requires more space, peace and access to the outdoors.
A home office lies on the upper floor, and the property has high-speed fibre broadband – an essential for those in new hybrid work schemes.
For children, the village of Lacken is just a five-minute walk away and has a primary school alongside a safe, sandy lakeside path.
The property, in turn-key condition, is now on the market through Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes seeking €795,000.
