€4m trophy home high on a hill in Dalkey

Fine period detail, great views and an enviable address at a location high over Dalkey ticks all the boxes for the perfect trophy home. Sherry FitzGerald is expecting number 1 Mount Salus, a five-bedroom house with a one-bedroom annex, to reach €4 million at auction on October 25th. Kate McMorrow reports

Half-way along a peaceful cul-desac off Knocknacree Road, the house needed a good deal of work when the owners took it over six years ago, but the marvellous view and the house's gracious proportions won them over. Builders moved in and took an entire year to strip back the walls and re-plaster, restore floors, windows and roof and knock the warren of back rooms into a family-friendly living space.

The 334sq m (3,600sq ft) house is one of a pair, with cut-granite detail and two half-octagonal bay windows. Inside, an outer hall with chequered tile floor and decorative ceiling leads through a stained glass door to the arched inner hall.

The impact of the sea view is strongest in the two front reception rooms either side of this hall. Painted in shades of cream, the drawingroom is double-aspect and bright, with a white marble mantelpiece and views across to Dalkey Island from the bay window. Ceiling plasterwork is exceptional, particularly the oval-shaped centre rose.

Across the hall is a formal diningroom, extending into the front bay. This glamorous room has rich Morocco red walls, black marble mantelpiece and decorative ceiling cornicing. Next to the diningroom, a study has bookshelves, an original cast-iron fireplace and French doors to a decked terrace. A guest toilet and understairs cloakroom open off the rear hall.

It is three steps down to the working section of the house, once a warren of tiny dark rooms now extended and designed to blend with the original architecture. The breakfastroom has oak flooring and a matching semi-circle of benches to wrap around the table. French doors access a sheltered sun deck.

This room links with the country-style kitchen and livingroom where the family tends to congregate. Custom-made units are painted a pretty Provençe blue, with grey granite worktops and an island unit fitted with microwave and wine rack. Appliances are integrated behind the blue doors.

Recessed lighting extends to the sitting area, which is dominated by a huge slate fireplace. A mezzanine floor overhead is currently used as a playroom. Off the kitchen and opening onto a courtyard with separate entrance is the au pair's private space, with a sittingroom, mezzanine sleeping area, walk-in wardrobe and en suite shower.

Three of the four bedrooms are doubles and one is a child's single room. The family bathroom is a fun place with a nautical theme and dolphins frolicking on the walls. This has a bath and separate shower. At the far end of the landing and with the best views in the house is the main bedroom suite. Off the front-facing bedroom are a walk-in wardrobe and roomy bathroom with clawfoot bath, twin wash-hand basins and corner shower. Two further double bedrooms have marble fireplaces.

Outside at the front, high granite walls and greenery surround a cobbled forecourt which accommodates several cars. The south-westerly back garden is very private, with fuchsia, mallow and hebe showing late summer colour. An old apple tree laden with fruit spreads its branches over the lawn. By the kitchen door is a flagged terrace with an under-steps wine cellar, while the deck off the breakfastroom is used for summer dining.

For a virtual tour of this property, click on nicemove.ie