Southern Belle: A mix of antebellum elegance and the laid-back luxe of the Hamptons, with gorgeous grounds, where you can catch dinner on the deck over the river and fry it up, all within an easy commute of Dublin city.
There are lots of country homes where you can commune with nature and engage in sporting pursuits.
Few are within a 22-kilometre commute of Dublin city centre.
Abounding the River Dargle and just over two kilometres from Enniskerry village, Dargle Lodge, a four-bedroom, six-bathroom, detached residence, with a one-bed annexe, offers all of this.
Address: Dargle Lodge, Cookstown Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, A98 VH63
Asking price: €1.795 million
Agent: Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty
Set on three-quarters of an acre of lush, landscaped grounds, the main entrance to the house is under a carport, which is practical but doesn’t really hint at the scale, volume, or sitting of the property.
A lofty entrance hall to the left will dispel any initial concerns that you might have had.
This is a house that reveals itself slowly.
Overhead is a timber-beamed and panelled vaulted ceiling, washed in a warm white.
The hall is floored in a rich patinated walnut floor.
This same flooring is carried throughout its 445 square metres.
It needs some cosmetic resanding and oiling in parts, but anchors the vaulted and timber-panelled ceilings that feature in every room of this property.
Inside, all fenestration has plantation-style shutters.
The kitchen is to the right. The large rectangular space is home to cabinetry and an island by high-end heritage-design firm Chalon.
A four-door Aga adds a comforting touch.
The property is single-storey and has a sloping roof that overhangs the property, creating a sheltered outdoor space that is perfectly designed for the Irish weather.
Doors from the kitchen open out to a vaulted and partially covered timber deck that extends beyond the roof overhang, allowing you to dine al fresco, whatever the weather brings, moving the table out to soak up the sun and in to escape the rain.
From the kitchen, another set of double doors leads on into the living cum dining room, where a solid-fuel stove set on a raised plinth is a focal point.
Doors on either side open out to the wraparound timber deck.
The views from here include mature trees and thoughtful, layered planting.
These doors open out to the garden.
To the left of the hall is a playroom and office, along with a guest W.C and access to the garage.
Directly in front is the accommodation wing. It has four bedrooms.
The principal bedroom will have you wafting off to sleep.
The bow-windowed room is expansive with his and hers doors out to the grounds.
There are three more double bedrooms, one of which is ensuite, while the other two share a Jack and Jill bathroom.
The deck, terrace, and grounds complement the interior.
Wander across the lawn to the southeast corner of the property, and you’ll find a covered fishing deck where you might be lucky enough to hook something for dinner.
The B2 BER-rated property, which is seeking €1.795 million through agents Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty, comes with full trout and salmon fishing rights.
The charming village of Enniskerry is about two kilometres away, with access to the N11 at the end of the road.
