Latest news with #Wicklow
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Modern Delgany home on elevated site with mountain and sea views for €2.1m
Address : Rockfalls House, Kindlestown Upper, Delgany, Co Wicklow Price : €2,100,000 Agent : DNG View this property on On its website, Fergus Flanagan Architects says it has created 'a unique house for a unique site' for Rockfalls House in Kindlestown Upper in Delgany , Co Wicklow . As it had what the company terms 'an elevated site with magnificent views of both the countryside and sea', the architect decided to create an upside-down design whereby all living spaces are on the top floor with bedrooms and services on the floor below. Furthermore, its Ber of A2 was achieved with the use of a passive slab foundation, a heat pump, triple-glazed windows and solar panels 'to create a warm building envelope that requires minimum energy to heat and maintain'. Completed in 2018, the substantial 280sqm (3,013sq ft) property lies on a generous 0.6-acre site taking full advantage of its elevated position within a small private enclave off Chapel Road near the popular Wicklow village, situated about 25km south of Dublin city centre. The main entrance lies to the rear – allowing views to remain uninterrupted – and leads into what can be described as a Selling Sunset-type house; it's a super-luxe contemporary home designed to maximise views with large expanses of glazing, as seen on the LA-based Netflix reality show. With south-facing sea views across the Delgany and Greystones countryside and over the Wicklow coastline, there's exceptional natural light thanks to the vast use of glazing. READ MORE The property lies in on a 0.6 acre site Front entrance Kitchen Kitchen view Livingroom Second living area Essentially, it's all floor-to-ceiling glass – with the exception of structural supports required to hold the glazing – while more light floods through overhead rooflights. The reception rooms run into one another, allowing a great flow between the spaces: an open-plan area encompasses a well-appointed kitchen with a central island, breakfast bar and premium appliances, which is served by a utility and separate laundry room – which is one of two in the property. A spacious living/dining area lies adjacent, followed by a second reception room (currently used as a home office). This entire space opens out on to a decked terrace – which considerably enhances the living space – as well as giving marvellous views and a place to sip a digestif and watch the sun set. There's also a private study tucked away to the front and a playroom on this floor, while a staircase leads to the ground floor where five generous bedrooms lie. Set into a stone-clad wall with a glass balustrade frame, the stairway appears to float between floors creating a central feature within the property. Downstairs is a bit of a treat and where the house is equally as impressive, as all the bedrooms open out to the garden and terraces through large sliding doors. Bookended by two principal suites, both of which have walk-in wardrobes and en suites, the three other bedrooms are served by a generous family bathroom and additional loo. For convenience, a second laundry room lies adjacent to a store room and plant room on this floor. A feature staircase separates the floors All five bedrooms have terraces Dining space on the terrace Gardens have a koi pond Outside, the south-facing garden has been landscaped with terraces and lawns with mature hedging allowing privacy. A water feature includes a koi pond framed by old railway sleepers and the site also has wooden garden shed, dual-level parking and two entrances. Its location is within a 2km radius from a variety of secondary and primary schools including Greystones Educate Together, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, St Laurence's and Temple Carrig, while the Go-Ahead bus service departs from 700m down the road for commuting to the capital. While the property would benefit from additional soft landscaping where lower terraces meet the lawn, the house is in mint condition and is now on the market through selling agent DNG seeking €2.1 million.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland's oldest person dies aged 108
The death has occurred of a 108-year-old Irish woman who lived through two pandemics, the Irish Civil War and the War of Independence. Sarah Coyle was a native of Knockatomcoyle, Co Wicklow but resided with her daughter Marian Galligan in Castleknock in Dublin. She passed away peacefully on Monday surrounded by her family. Advertisement Mrs Coyle, who was born in the year of the Easter Rising, is understood to have been the oldest person in the country. Sarah, who had the maiden name Byrne, was born on July 24th, 1916 and grew up in Coolkenno before moving to Dublin as a teenager. In an interview with The Irish Times in April, her daughter Marian said that her mother had a very strong memory of the the Black and Tans, the British Forces who operated in Ireland during the War of Independence from 1919 to 1921. 'When she was very young, the Black and Tans came around and brought her grandfather James out. They were going to shoot him at the gable end [of the house] – for no reason, they were just going around doing purges,' Ms Galligan said. Advertisement "He blessed himself and he said, 'Blessed be the will of God'.' At this point the leader of the group told his men, 'Put down your guns.' They left him there, they didn't shoot him. It wasn't the will of God,' Ms Galligan said. Mrs Coyle hailed from a family of 10. Many of her siblings also lived long lives. Her sister Lily Kelly who resides in Solihull in the UK turned 103 earlier this year whilst her brother Andy Byrne lived to 100. Meanwhile, as a young woman Sarah worked in Foxrock in Dublin where she was employed as a housekeeper. She met her husband Tom Coyle at a dance. He was a native of Cavan who died in the mid 1980s. He worked as a postman until ill health set in in his late 50s. The couple lived in Drumcondra. They had four children two of whom died as newborns. Advertisement The grandmother and great grandmother lost her sight in her early 30s. Sarah rarely drank other than the odd sherry 'to be sociable". She attributed her longevity to the habit of her mother of putting the first nettles of spring in to their cabbage to 'purify their blood". Mrs Coyle became the oldest person in Ireland following the death on March 20th last in Letterkenny in Co Donegal of Ruby Druce. Ms Druce was 109 years and 79 days at the time of her passing. She lived on her own until she was 98.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Woman arrested over murder of Steven O'Meara in Co Wicklow in 2009
A woman has been arrested in connection with the murder of Steven O'Meara (26) in Co Wicklow more than 15 years ago. The woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of murder, gardaí said in a statement. Mr O'Meara, a father-of-four from Rosehill in Wicklow town, was shot and buried alive in a shallow grave at Ballydonnell Wood, Redcross in August 2009. His body was found nearly five months later on Christmas Eve. Two men were previously convicted for his murder. READ MORE Gardaí said the woman is being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at a Garda station in Co Wexford. The investigation into Mr O'Meara's murder is being led by a senior investigating officer in Wexford Garda station, gardaí said.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Women seek home for 12ft by 11ft woollen map of Ireland
A 12ft by 11ft wool map of Ireland, which took four years of knitting and crocheting to complete, is in search of a new home to go on public display. A group of up to 18 women in Co Wicklow, consisting of skilled knitters, sewers and crocheters, started the project in 2019 before it paused during the pandemic and resumed again in late 2022. Advertisement The women met every Wednesday at Carnew Community Care centre where they came up with ideas of landmarks and historical sites across the island of Ireland that they could sew and knit together. The knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Carnew, Co Wicklow. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. While 18 people started off the project, three of the women died over the years and two others went in to nursing homes. The youngest member of the group is aged 65 while the eldest is soon turning 90. Group member Mary Blake said that after creating a number of other woollen projects, a member of the community centre suggested knitting a map of Ireland. Advertisement The woollen map project quickly took off and now features prominent landmarks and sites across the island, including Glendalough, Croagh Patrick, Phoenix Park, Giant's Causeway and Fungie the Dolphin. Ms Blake said: 'We all decided which bits would represent areas of significance and we put it all together like a jigsaw. 'We covered the whole of Ireland in green squares, all different shades of green, before we started doing any of the knitting. 'Then we started with Leinster, and somebody said, I'll do Mount Leinster, and someone else started on Hook Head (lighthouse), and different people did different parts. We worked together on everything, Advertisement 'Most of it took place in Carnew Community Care, which is a centre for older people. We meet every Wednesday morning and whatever we don't get finished, we bring home the bits to get done. Blarney Castle, which features on a knitted map of Ireland in Carnew Community Care centre in Co Wicklow. Photo: Carson/PA. 'We started in 2019 and then Covid came and put a stop to that. So we couldn't get wool and we couldn't meet either. We got back together at the end of 2022 but we'd lost a few people in the meantime, during Covid. 'We lost one of our members Margaret so decided to add bits in to represent her life close to the Shannon. 'We couldn't do something to represent every county but we did places like Glendalough, the Japanese Gardens in Kildare, Hook Head, a Viking ship, the Guinness gate, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo. Advertisement 'We also have Harland and Wolff, the Titanic ship with parts of it sinking, Theresa's cottage in Donegal, the Ulster Museum, we have loads of animals in it, Giants Causeway, which we made out of Smarties boxes. 'We have lots of fishermen, the Aran Island, windmills, Croagh Patrick, Galway Races and best dressed lady, the Shannon, Sherkin Island, Blarney Castle, and Fungie. 'Some people sewed, some people crocheted, and some people sewed things together. 'One of our ladies is going be 90 next year and I'd say the youngest person we have is over 65.' Advertisement She added: 'It gives people a purpose. We also knit blankets for local hospitals. Mary Blake points to a boat in memory of Margaret Dowse, who died during the creation of her group's knitted map of Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. 'We were all really excited to take part in this project and seeing it finished was amazing.' Ms Blake said those involved would like to see it go on public display. 'We don't really mind, whoever wants it is welcome to have it, but we would love to see it in a public place, somewhere that it can be viewed and give everybody an opportunity to see it. We're open to whoever wants to take it,' she added. 'I'm so excited to see it finished and would like others to see it too. It would look great in one of the airports.' One of the members, Ann Edwards, said it was a fun experience. 'I have lots of favourites but I think Hook Head and the Viking ship are particularly nice and colourful and great to work on,' she said. 'They were difficult to do. I worked on the Vikings. It was interesting and enjoyable. 'We dug into the memory bank and came up with ideas and what things would have looked like.'
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Contemporary Bray four-bed adjacent to Killruddery Demesne for €1.45m
Address : Iona House, Giltspur Lane, Bray, Co Wicklow Price : €1,450,000 Agent : Sherry FitzGerald View this property on With the backdrop of both mountains and the sea, coupled with a buzzing Victorian promenade, the seaside town of Bray in Co Wicklow provides all manner of activities, with everything from golf and sailing to tennis, fishing and horse riding. The town, popular with commuters due to its proximity to Dublin, has stunning coastal walks and a strong sense of local community. Wicklow's northernmost town figured as one of Time Out magazine's most under-rated tourist destinations in 2023 and 2024. It has been described as Ireland's Brighton, and has its own jazz festival, renowned air display and, for cultural outings, the Mermaid Arts Centre hosts a packed programme of annual events. House prices in Bray are generally lower than in south Co Dublin, making the seaside town an attractive alternative for those who may be priced out of more expensive Dublin suburbs. Sherry FitzGerald has recently launched Iona House to the market, which lies in a private lane, adjacent to the 800-acre estate of Killruddery Demesne, about 2.5km from Bray town centre. READ MORE Do not be fooled by external images of this A1-rated house. Though it may look like a conservatively sized contemporary home, it extends to a considerable 303sq m (3,261sq ft). Hall Kitchen A well appointed pantry serves the streamlined kitchen Living space off the kitchen Formal livingroom The property was designed by architect Anthony Murphy for its construction company owner, who wanted 'a bright, airy home with lots of family space'. Constrained by planning 'to keep within the ridge height on the lane' Murphy added a mono-pitched roof, and 'he'd go to the site in the evenings to see exactly where the evening sun was setting', according to its owner. It is built into a hill, and is quite the achievement given the constraints of the site. The design saw bedrooms placed at the lower level to ensure reception rooms got the bulk of the light. A partially glazed floor in the front hallway brings light into the downstairs areas, and numerous well-thought-out terraces add to its overall design. In contrast to the Victorian origins of its location, modern elements such as an air-to-water heat pump, triple-glazed windows and lots of insulation give this property the highest energy rating possible. The house is at the end of a private lane, inside a neat gravelled driveway with ample off-street parking and an electric charging point. The triple-aspect kitchen shares its space with a dining and living area and has a large island and customised cabinetry – echoed in the utility – and features Quooker taps, a wine cooler and a large freezer. A second, more formal livingroom lies off the hallway, as does a loo, a smart bootroom and a room currently used as a study that would also work as a fifth bedroom. Concrete flooring separates living and sleeping spaces, so there's no creaking or squeaking. Underfloor heating runs throughout, keeping the house at a constant ambient temperature. But it will be the main bedroom that will make new owners swoon. Laid out as a suite, along with the bedroom, en suite and swanky walk-in wardrobe, it occupies some 60sq m. Adding to this is a steam room/shower, which has seating and an illuminated curved roof – so drips don't fall on your head – while using the steam facility. From a terrace off this bedroom there's a sauna and hot tub, used frequently by owners, whatever the weather. Main bedroom Dressing room Shower/steam room in the main bedroom en-suite A sauna lies on a terrace off the main bedroom The property has a number of terraces Customised cabinetry, Villeroy & Boch bathrooms, a home gym and landscaped terraces with glass balustrades – laid out for specific uses at different times of the day – are just some of the outstanding features in the property. It is also geared towards entertaining, and the house has hosted parties for upwards of 40 guests. Owners had the intention of spending more time at their home, which was completed in 2022, but are moving for family reasons. They have placed their walk-in, well-designed home on the market through Sherry FitzGerald, seeking €1.45 million.
