A former country house hotel near Rathnew is likely to be redeveloped. Rose Doyle reports
All four of the first floor bedrooms in Knockrobin House, Knockrobin, Co Wicklow have wide and wonderful views over the coastal wetlands of the Broadlough estuary and the Irish sea beyond.
On more than 10 rolling, tree-studded acres between Rathnew and Wicklow town, Knockrobin House has a pedigree to fit its location and a winding avenue to lead you to its front door.
For sale by private treaty through Lennox Estates, Knockrobin House comes to the market with a guide of €7 million which includes outbuildings, a self-contained studio apartment and walled garden in a total of 10.18 acres.
Its size and proximity to Dublin make it a likely prospect for redevelopment.
Built during the 19th century famine years, an arched veranda to the front gives it a later Victorian look.
The owners have completely refurbished Knockrobin House, once a country house hotel, over the last 12 years, retaining or replacing original features and creating a comfortable 465sq m (5,000sq ft) home.
There are five bedrooms (four en suite), four reception rooms and a country-style kitchen-cum-breakfastroom arranged over three levels.
Much of the original layout is evident in the number and variety of rooms, especially the labyrinthine garden level where 11 separate spaces lead off a stone- flagged corridor.
Surprisingly bright, these include wine and coal cellars, boot room, prayer room, kitchen, bedroom and office.High leaded windows in the lofty glass-enclosed front porch are careful replacements but the decorative tiled floor and double door leading to the reception hall are original. There are lofty ceilings too in the reception hall and in the rear inner hall.
The family and drawingrooms have garden, tree and even distant sea views, original marble fireplaces, picture and dado rails, cornicing and functioning shutters on the windows. The fireplace in the drawingroom has red Russian marble set into white; a butler's pantry off the diningroom has an electrically powered dumb waiter.
Two of the first floor bedrooms have original fireplaces.
The apartment, which overlooks the courtyard, is pleasantly compact with a bedroom, shower room and small kitchen.
