Blue Bells Grove a gateway to nature

THE vast Killarney National Park is home to Muckross House, the 15th century Ross Castle, the three lakes of Killarney and Ireland’s only native herd of red deer. Now house hunters with deep pockets have the chance to buy a home on the doorstep of the 26,000ac park, at Blue Bells Grove.

The four-bed detached houses that make up Blue Bells Grove are off Countess Road, just 100m from Killarney House, the gateway to the national park and 200m from the town centre.

This development, by Kerry builder Michael Sheahan & Sons, will have 31 homes in total when it’s finished and is one of the few new schemes to be built in the Kerry tourist town since the property crash.

Of the six houses launched in the first phase of Blue Bells Grove last year, two are still available, but more will gradually come on stream as soon as they are finished, according to the selling agent.

Prices at Blue Bells Grove start at a hefty €550,000, but they reflect the prime residential location, the build quality and the target market — Irish expats returning to live in their home county and older couples keen to live closer to the centre of Killarney. These three-storey houses come in four styles but, essentially, all have a kitchen/dining area to the rear, with French doors leading to the back garden, as well as a utility room, a living room to the front and a guest WC.

There are two double bedrooms on each of the upper floors. Unusually, all the bedrooms are ensuite and come with walk-in wardrobes. The wardrobes, like the fitted kitchens, are supplied by Leane’s Fitted Furniture. There is an electric fire with a steel graphite frame in the living room.

The exteriors are modern in style, with a flat or sloped roof, a brick-and-render facade and cobble-lock driveways to the front. There are bow-topped railings to the front border and to the side gates that lead to the back garden, where there is a rainwater harvesting tank. Extra eco-credentials at the A-rated homes include geothermal central heating and Ecotherm triple-glazed windows.

Viewings of the showhouse at Blue Bells Grove are by appointment.