Canadians cut price by half a million

THE CANADIAN ambassador's residence, Strathmore, a 760sq m (8,200sq ft) Victorian house on over nine acres of garden and parkland…

THE CANADIAN ambassador's residence, Strathmore, a 760sq m (8,200sq ft) Victorian house on over nine acres of garden and parkland with views across Killiney Bay to the Sugar Loaf, is back on the market six months after being put up for sale - with a price cut of just €500,000.

Lisney is now looking for €16.5 million for the property.

Some people thought the €17 million the Canadians were looking for back in September was modest - the embassy is in a secluded spot in one of Ireland's most exclusive suburbs, across the road from Bono's house and a stroll to the Killiney Dart.

Opponents - here and in Canada - of the decision to sell one of the top embassy residences in Dublin tried to persuade the Canadian government that it was selling the country short. But it wasn't for turning and the sale went ahead. An offer was made, protracted negotiations ensued - and now a deal has fallen through.

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The 760sq m (8,200sq ft) house, built in 1860, does need some renovation, but it has a striking "the ambassador requests" style of drawingroom that runs the depth of the house and those dramatic sea views.

One whole side of Strathmore faces south-east, looking out to sea over the roofs of apartments built on the site of the nearly adjacent former Killiney Court Hotel.

It looks as if the Canadian ambassador to Ireland, Pat Binns - who never got a chance to enjoy the good life out in Killiney - will have to wait a while yet before moving on from his temporary residence in the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge.