Rambling, airy home in Killiney with sea views

Renowned Victorian architect Thomas Deane lived in this grand Georgian home on a hill, to which he added his distinct Gothic touches, writes Orna MulcahyProperty Editor

A CHARMING five-bedroom house set on over half an acre of garden with sea views on Killiney Hill Road in Killiney, Co Dublin, is on the market at €5.5 million through Lisney.

Tom Day, who is handling the private treaty sale, and who lives in the neighbourhood, describes Dorset Lodge as a wonderful house for a party.

Certainly its rambling layout and big airy rooms make it a very inviting home. The owners' superb collection of French furniture and chandeliers give it the feel of a mini chateau, while the gardens are distinctly English in style with rolling lawns and deep herbaceous borders.

At 438sq m (4,717sq ft), Dorset Lodge is larger than it looks, with an abundance of natural light flowing in through wide sash windows dressed with floaty linen and lace curtains.

There are three reception rooms, a family room, and very pretty Aga kitchen as well as a large conservatory. Wide, well kept lawns wrap around three sides of the house, while an original coach-house and yard have potential as a games room, office, or simply as storage.

The house dates from Georgian times and was originally built as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Dorset. It was later owned by Thomas Deane of Deane Woodward, the Victorian architects responsible for the Kildare Street Club and the museum at Trinity College. In Dorset Lodge, Deane installed a number of attractive fireplaces with Gothic flourishes, although the two main reception rooms have impressive Georgian fireplaces.

A long gravelled driveway leads up from Killiney Hill Road, shortly before the turn for Military Road. The long low house is entered through a pretty porch, that opens into a magnificent square, tiled hallway with a striking fireplace and a sitting area with a wide bay window overlooking the front garden. There are several lovely reception rooms including a drawingroom leading to a large conservatory, a big sittingroom, and a diningroom next to the kitchen, beyond which are several useful rooms including two pantries and boot room.

Upstairs, four of the bedrooms lead off a wide landing, including the main bedroom suite with its dressingroom and large bathroom. An additional suite of rooms accessed via a private stairs includes the fifth bedroom.

Dorset Lodge, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co Dublin

Charming five-bedroom house set on 0.64 acres with architectural pedigree

Agent: Lisney