Ardmore beach-house for €1.2 million

Last sold five years ago for over €4m and now asking €1.2 million, Pebble Beach is a luxury holiday home on five acres with a swimming pool and helipad

DRIVING AROUND Ardmore, Co Waterford the traditional seaside village that stayed true to itself when others succumbed to overdevelopment, auctioneer Brian Gleeson can name the inhabitants of pretty much every house along the coast.

Generally, he says holiday homes get handed down from grandparent to son or daughter and eventually grandchildren return in their early 30s with their own kids.

The holiday homeowners here are radiologists and broadcasters, judges and accountants, as well as some overseas families who come once or maybe twice a year. On Curragh beach last bank holiday Monday, there was only one family on the long stretch of sand and shallow water, as we turned right into the entrance of Pebble Beach.

The house, which comprises some 565sq m (6,081sq ft) of unique beachfront living, was built in 1997 by local builder John Moloney, and designed by Waterford architect Nicholas Fewer.

Over 70 piles ground the property while inside exposed rolled steel joists (RSJ) combined with Kiely’s Cross stone are a notable feature. It was last sold about five years ago by the same auctioneer for “in excess of €4 million”.

The current offer is €975,000 and the auctioneer says he expects it to go for more. The asking price is €1.2 million.

I say it’s unique because at high tide the water literally laps close to the front of the house where large rocks should keep the worst of the winter waves at bay. You’re unlikely to see planning permission granted for any other houses along this stretch of sand into the future.

Along with the incredible location, the house itself is all on one floor with a large 10 by three-metre swimming pool acting as the pivot around which everything revolves.

The pool is eye level to the sea and steps lead from the main hall into it. There are five generous en-suite bedrooms, a large kitchen and main living areas in an open-plan design.

There are also dressing rooms, a children’s television room, laundry, changing rooms, plant room, sauna, steam room, large jacuzzi and two hallways.

I found some of the interior design a bit over the top – particularly the African-themed bedrooms. The use of lion or cheetah type patterns in the master bedroom and a hint of zebra in a spare bedroom came across a little too dictator décor for my liking.

But, of course, that can be easily changed. When it was originally built, the American owners put their stamp on it, from the oversized showers, to the Viking appliances in the kitchen, and of course the stunning views from literally all but one of the rooms in the house.

The house, which is used as a holiday home, sits on five acres, incorporating meadows, a helipad and an outdoor dining area. The drawback for me, apart from some of the interior design, is the fact that it is very public. The front porch areas are literally on the beach and there’s really nothing to stop the public sunbathing on the large rocks in front of the house (on that one day a year we do get sun), or having a good gawk through the large glass-fronted windows into your living areas.

Still, I suppose there are some people who wouldn’t mind being seen living in a house like this.

Pebble Beach, Curragh, Ardmore, Co Waterford

565sq m (6,081sq ft) beachfront house built in 1997

Agent: Gleeson Property