Everything about Newgrange in Kilternan, at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, is on a grand scale.
The bucolic setting for the redbrick, almost mansion-sized house runs to 10 acres of lawns. For years the local parish held its summer barbecue in the grounds, at Christmas Santa was known to arrive by helicopter.
The 392 sq m (4,219 sq ft) property comes with its own 95 sq m (1,022 sq ft) gate lodge and the house is approached by a long sweep of tarmacadam drive. Twin sets of stone steps with ornate iron railings curve up to a double front door.
Newgrange was built 40 years ago by Dublin builder M J Clarke for the businessman Frank Johnson, who owned the Smart Brothers chain of clothing stores among other interests.
Internal doors are of polished mahogany and even the stables – later the incubation units for the successful Sam’s Cookies business – were built in redbrick with hardwood windows and doors.
Inside the front doors there is a large reception hall with a stone fireplace and an elegant sweeping staircase. A door leads to the formal dining room with views out over the gardens.
Johnson and his wife, the artist Benita Johnson, liked to entertain and the formal reception rooms flow from the hall into a dual aspect drawing room, which in turn opens into an enormous, fully glazed conservatory. The conservatory is large enough to have hosted a family wedding in bygone years.
Also downstairs is a family sitting room again with a large stone fireplace, a country-style kitchen and a rear hallway opening into Benita Johnson’s art room, now a guest bedroom. The rear hallway also accesses a shower room, utility and a pantry. Double doors lead to the back garden.
Upstairs there are a further four double bedrooms and bathroom off a large landing. The master suite has windows on three sides giving spectacular views across the lawns, with Dublin and coastal views in the distance. A further two bedrooms are located in the 95 sq m gate lodge. Another eight acres of land is available, if required.
Newgrange would make a great family home for a growing family who like to entertain. It is for sale through Colliers for €2.35 million.
The house backs onto the main Enniskerry to Stepaside road close to the Kilternan Hotel.
