Strand Road in Killiney has an end-of-the-world feel to it. It's as though once Dalkey, Coliemore Road and Vico Road have offered up their delightful coastal views, there's really not much point in continuing along this south Dublin coastal stretch.
As the narrow coastal road veers inland, a cul-de-sac suddenly juts leftwards, and the few houses on Strand Road are left to enjoy their own private access to Killiney beach, spectacular views of Dalkey Island and Sorrento Terrace to the north, and Bray to the south.
The sites originally served as summer huts for the capital’s gentry, a place to take a jaunt out to, and from which to access the beach.
0 of 12
Around 1875 these sites were developed as statement castellated granite-faced residences, and later became homes for senior British military officers posted here. The Killiney Beach Martello Tower (No 6) is at the end of the road.
View to sea
Dunmara is for sale for €6 million through Lansdowne Partnership. It adjoins the home of entertainment promoter
Denis Desmond
, and the owner – a legal professional –has lived here for 23 years.
In that time the property, on just over an acre of manicured grounds, has been carefully upgraded and maintained.
Once through the electronic gates, the imposing statement façade only hints at the full extent of the 436sq m (4,693sq ft) three-storey-over- garden-level property.
A sweeping flight of granite steps leads to the lofty marble tiled hall. White painted wood panelling leads to a decorative archway and an inner hallway with a glass double-door at the end providing a first glimpse of the sea beyond.
Off it to the right is a fine interconnecting drawing room replete with decorative elements true to the period – ornate coving and ceiling roses, shuttered sash windows and original fireplace with marble hearth.
The space to the rear has a library feel with fitted bookshelves, Adams-style fireplace and a spectacular seated bay window from which to take in the sea vista.
Off this room and across the inner hallway is a long formal triple-aspect diningroom. Its most impressive feature is the railed terrace off it, accessed via French windows. It overlooks the beachfront stretch at the foot of the garden.
On the upper floor are three double bedrooms sharing a main bathroom, and above this is a smaller room in the “tower” of the house.
While in good order they have not had the usual upgrade to include en suites or dressing rooms and this may be a consideration for new owners.
The vast ground level is as big as many suburban homes and it’s where much of the living takes place.
The kitchen is country style, and a little out of step with current trends, being closed in apart from a large open hatch connecting with the very nicely laid out dining/living area.
Off this is a small club-style bar. These are a dying breed in the age of austerity, and not before their time, but this one has been nicely done and provides a snug from the open-plan space.
Vast terrace
Through French windows there is access to a vast terrace which could readily accommodate a large party of guests, and to the right is a flagstone patio with decorative boxed hedging, and a flight of granite steps leading up to the main hall.
At this level also are two guest bedrooms, each with en suite, a gym, family room, study and utility.
There are many nooks and crannies for escape designed into this property. A gravelled walkway from the house along the periphery of the spacious gardens leads to a converted boathouse styled as a cinema.
The path continues past an original summerhouse, overlooking the tennis court and lawn, and on to a book-lined “reading room”.
With Holy Child School Killiney a five-minute walk away and the Dart Station a little further (the line runs past the front of the house), Dunmara would make a lovely home for a growing family, while the direct beach access sets it apart from many coastal properties.
