Kilcrea, Donabate, Co. Dublin
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
KILCREA, DONABATE, CO. DUBLIN BER EXEMPT KILCREA, DONABATE, CO. DUBLIN For Sale Freehold by Private Treaty in The Entire Seafield House is a magnificent and romantic Palladian mansion. Built in the 1730’s it has a rich history and a stunning location. Close to Dublin city centre and Dublin international airport, the house and grounds are totally private and have been refurbished and maintained to the highest standards. Set out over some 32 hectares (80 acres) of gardens, walled garden, yew tree walk, arable land, forestry and lake. Mansion approx. 895 sq m / 9,634 sq ft (approx.), Coach and stable yard with staff flat and gate lodge. • Dublin city centre less than 15 km approx. • Dublin International Airport 8 km approx. • Malahide village 7 km approx., Donabate village 2.5km. • M1 motorway 2.5 km approx. Your own Irish estate, rich in history and perfectly presented with Classical style & timeless elegance A MAGNIFICENT COUNTRY HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY Ireland has a rich history of magnificent country houses, yet few are located as conveniently as Seafield House. Only 15km from Dublin’s city centre, and 8km to Dublin international airport, you will find yourself in a peaceful world, surrounded by forestry, parklands, and with a view across the estuary to Malahide and the mountains beyond. The Grade 1 listed house itself is a strikingly elegant, and romantic five bay three storey over garden level villa. Seafield house is thought to have been built by Inside, and setting the scene, a key feature is the leading Classical architect Sir Edward Lovett extraordinary entrance hall, which runs the full Pearce, the leading exponent of Palladianism in width of the building, linking the building to the Ireland and architect of Castletown House. gorgeous countryside, and creating a magical space of light, and drama. Pearce died in 1733 and was also the designer of the Irish Houses of Parliament (now the Bank Including a galleried walkway at first floor level, of Ireland building at College Green). Whether and incorporating the original panelling, with wall directly involved or not, Seafield is clearly in debt to paintings of figures from Classical mythology, this is Pearce’s elegance and style. a space to conjure with. The original house was built circa 1730, the year Seafield House was originally built for Benedict Pearce became Surveyor General of Ireland. Just Arthur, sometimes spelled Arthure, who had been over one hundred years later in 1857 a ‘west wing’ High Sheriff of Dublin. was added, along with a striking Italianate tower, adding both balance and intrigue to the elevation. From him, it passed into the ownership of the Hely- Hutchinson family, who attained great significance A coach and stable yard, complete with clock tower in Irish political history. The house was then sold was also incorporated at this point. In this way, to Sir Robert and Lady Goff, and thence to the Seafield House combines the best of two worlds: present owners. the sophisticated grace and symmetricality of the Georgian Period, for which Dublin’s historic core It is now awaiting the next chapter in its illustrious is righty famed; and the warmth and wit of the story. Victorians. Add to that a fully contemporary overhaul by the present owners, and you have a timeless home to last a lifetime. A HOUSE RICH WITH HISTORY The full extent of the Hely-Hutchinson family fortunes date from the a series of marriages, most notably with the Hatch family, for whom Hatch Street in Dublin is named. In 1834, Sophia Synge Hutchinson married her cousin, a naval captain, the Hon Coote Hely-Hutchinson, bringing the estates of Seafield and nearby Lissen Hall in Swords into the same family ownership, and including some 700 acres. A donation by the descendants of the family of Julia moved to nearby Newport House and Seafield some 110 boxes of letters, legal papers, photographs then came into the ownership of Sir Robert and and family memorabilia to the archives of Fingal Lady Goff. County Council, give a fascinating insight in to their lives, and also the life of Seafield House. The current owners purchased Seafield in 1996, and have since lavished care and attention on The letters tell of how, during the first World War, the property, retaining original features, while two Hely-Hutchinson brothers, Coote and Dick, completely rewiring, replumbing, reroofing, went off to war, while their father John fought to updating the windows and bathrooms and restoring preserve the family’s wealth. They also paint a vivid the façade. picture of the decline of the Anglo Irish landed gentry, and point to a possible fate for Seafield, and A new flight of granite steps sweeps up to the front yet the house survived, magnificently. door taking you into the timeless world of Seafield. This was thanks to Coote Hely-Hutchinson, who diligently farmed the land, and gained in standing and public opinion in post-Independence Ireland. He worked as a councillor and also served on the board of the Royal Dublin Society, and contributed to philanthropic and social activities. When Coote died in 1930, W.T. Cosgrave, the first elected head of the Irish Free State, wrote to his widow, Julia, saying “his country will miss the splendid public services and activities which he contributed to her welfare for so many years.” KILCREA, DONABATE, CO. DUBLIN INSIDE SEAFIELD HOUSE Fully refurbished, and sensitively restored and maintained by a principal reception rooms and dining room. Here, the paintwork team of passionately committed artisans, who have come to know sensitively picks out the original panelling and plasterwork, to and love Seafield House as much as the owners, the interiors are museum standards, even though such is the warm and welcoming a triumph of restoration and upgrading. The hall paintings, from atmosphere, one feels immediately at home. the school of William van der Hagen, are some of the earliest of their kind in Ireland. Meanwhile, the Adam fireplace takes pride Then, a bright kitchen provides the heart of the Victorian wing, of place in the dining room, whilst a magnificent fireplace rescued and this part of the house also hosts a peaceful study, where you from a castle at Lough Lomond makes an impressive focal point can deal with the world, while feeling quite at peace from it. Off in the drawing room. When the current owners have parties, this the kitchen is a scullery, and an intriguing flight of stairs. This beautiful room makes a perfect spot for the bar. takes you up into the tower, where you can revel in commanding views of the surrounding countryside. The lower ground floor Tall windows, deeply recessed, look out over the woodlands, includes a wine cellar, laundry room, further cellars and a large parklands and across the estuary. Wood panelling and delicately den that could become a gym, games room or home cinema. picked out plasterwork predominate in the Georgian core of the house, and continues upstairs in the master suites. There are eight Choose your mood through the bedrooms. The master suite has bedrooms in all, including a rambling set of suites on the very top glorious views, deep set windows, a magnificent fireplace and floor, which generations of children have enjoyed making their large dressing room, but you’re spoiled for choice with different own. views and aspects across all eight bedrooms. These aspects are integral to the charm of Seafield House as from the sweeping One of the delights of the house is to be found in its different driveway to the elegant forecourt, complete with gravel area moods, which nonetheless blend to a seamless whole. There is the and feature fountain, this is a house that is truly at home in its elegant, yet comfortable formality of the principal rooms in the peaceful 80 acre setting. Georgian core. This extends through the magnificent hallway, two KILCREA, DONABATE, CO. DUBLIN A REMARKABLE SETTING Planting six hundred trees, the current owners have taken every Seafield House also has its own gate lodge, and a very fine coach care to continue the story of Seafield outside as well as in. There and stable yard complete with a traditional blue-faced stable are approximately 15 acres of woodland, a south facing walled clock – all in good working order. The coach yard includes a fully garden, which gives total privacy, and a kitchen garden, with fitted apartment, which would make an ideal staff flat. There is polytunnel, so you can enjoy the fruits of your grounds at dinner also a barn, fine arched storage areas, and a series of stables, loose each evening. Mature trees surround the property and bound the boxes and outbuildings, giving plenty of food for thought for sweeping avenue. As you round the avenue, the first impression of future owners, whether equestrian lovers or simply considering the house and setting is breath-taking. the possibilities of all this additional space. Whatever its ultimate use, the coach yard provides the perfect balance to the house There are layers of history in the landscaping too. A yew walk itself, completely in keeping with its status and history. echoes the famous one at Lismore Castle in County Waterford, while stone steps give clues to more walks throughout the To the front of the house, there are formal gardens, with a grounds. Discover statues of eagles on the top of walls, guarding fountain and splendid views to savour over the estuary. The land the occupants; and sit, as the owners like to do, on moonlit to the front is then laid out in grass. To the rear of the house evenings, gazing at the track of silver on the calm estuary just there are further formal gardens.