Kilternan Lodge, dating from 1723, has been home to the Carroll family for the past 41 years. Jane Carroll – a textile designer, who designed for the Conran Design Group before establishing her own shop in Blackrock, has fond memories of her childhood here: "It was an amazing place to grow up. My mum operated an open house so during the summers the pool was full of kids and we spent our days playing tennis on the lawn."
The outdoor pool still stands to the rear of this lovely Georgian property, which was bought by her late father Don Carroll, chairman of Carroll Industries and PJ Carroll & Co – the tobacco manufacturers.
He also held the position of governor of the Bank of Ireland and the Central Bank during his career.The Lodge extends to 372sq m. Though spacious, it retains the charm of a smaller house – with low ceilings and deep door architraves – with the exception of a grand drawingroom, which her father designed and built in the 1970s.
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“It took him over 18 months to build as he wanted a seamless extension – the doors and windows came from period houses on Mountjoy Square.”
Don Carroll had a keen interest in architecture and was president of An Taisce at the time.
A dining and livingroom flank the main hallway and overlook the gardens to the front. The tennis court is gone but what remains are peaceful gardens with a pond, a stream and visiting deer.
The master bedroom suite was an addition over the extension and boasts four windows in a curve that echoes the drawing room below. Four further generous bedrooms complete upstairs.
The grounds extend to 7 acres and include an old coach house, stables and a gate lodge which are in need of complete renovation.
The property, though so close to the M50, feels a million miles away. The lands are home to deer, pheasant, squirrels, badgers, fox and a multitude of ducks – who happily flap about in the iris-filled pond.
Kilternan Lodge is an oasis and, though in need of re- furbishment, will appeal to those in search of a charming period house at the edge of the city. For sale through Lisney with an asking price of €2 million.
