Rock solid in Sandycove
County Dublin home built by granite suppliers comes with unrivalled views, writes Katy McGuinness
THERE are sea views, and there are sea views, and if ever a house had sea views then it’s No9 Newtownsmith, which enjoys a magnificent panorama across Dublin Bay from Sandycove all the way to Howth.
The house is believed to have been built by Samuel and George Smith, who supplied granite for the construction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour and its two piers, and who leased the lands along the seafront in the early 1800s. These included the site on which No9 Newtownsmith was built subsequently.
As well as being big names in the granite business, the Smith family were also developers and built many of the homes in the area, including the Windsor and Martello Terraces along the seafront in the direction of what was then Kingstown — their name lives on in the place name Newtownsmith.
At the time of construction, in the 1860s, No9 would have faced directly out across the road to a rocky foreshore like that further south along the coast at Scotsman’s Bay, but over time, the lands were reclaimed to provide green space, now enjoyed by local residents. To the front, the property is railed with period cast-iron railings and has off-street parking for one car.
Number 9 is a fine Victorian double-fronted four-bedroom family home retaining some period features and with a substantial 3,353 sq ft of living space. The internal layout has been reconfigured to make the most of the views, with the drawing room now spanning the full width of the house on the first floor. A first-floor terrace to the rear has a sunny south-westerly aspect, and views across to the church in Glasthule.
The black and white limestone-tiled entrance hall is bright thanks to cleverly placed roof lights above the first-floor landing. To the left lies a large open-plan kitchen/dining room, which is dual aspect and has French doors opening out to the garden.
The kitchen has a travertine tiled floor, handcrafted solid wood kitchen units and black marble counter tops, and an island unit with an integrated Belfast-style sink. There’s a smart Baumatic stainless steel free-standing gas oven and five-ring gas hob, and space for an American-style fridge freezer.
Double doors lead from the dining area to another reception room, which can function as either a family room or playroom depending on the requirements of the new owners. This too has French doors out to the garden. Also opening out on to the garden is a double bedroom with a bathroom adjacent, while to the front is another double bedroom with sea views. In addition, the ground floor has a wellequipped utility room, guest shower room and under-stairs storage.
Upstairs, the galleried landing features 10 Velux roof lights, which means that the house is flooded with natural light.
The drawing room has solid wood flooring and a marble chimney piece with a cast iron and tile inset, and slate hearth. It’s a room designed to maximise the views over the bay, while the next-door study is kitted out with a convenient wet bar obviating the need for the owners to spend their evening running up and down stairs when hosting a drinks party.
To the rear on the first floor are two large ensuite bedrooms — the master also has a dressing room. Both have French doors that open out on to the suntrap roof terrace.
The rear garden is over 80ft long and laid out in an attractive mix of decked sun terrace, lawn and mature planted beds bounded by period granite walling.
Primary schools in the area include Castlepark, The Harold, and Dalkey School Project, while proximity to the Dart station at Glasthule/Sandycove puts many of South County Dublin’s most prestigious fee-paying secondary schools, including Holy Child Killiney, Loreto Dalkey, Blackrock College and St Andrew’s within easy and independent reach.
Add to that the beach at Sandycove, swimming at the Forty Foot, tennis clubs in Glenageary and Sandycove, the thriving Cuala GAA club in Dalkey and Dun Laoghaire’s four sailing clubs and sailing school, and it’s easy to see why this is such a popular area for families.
Glasthule is one of South County Dublin’s busiest villages, with a host of thriving shops and restaurants. There is Caviston’s, of course, essential to those whose quality of life is enhanced by ready access to great food, but there are also 64 Wine, Mitchells, The Punnet and the Sunday Market in the People’s Park, each with a part to play in keeping the locals well fed and watered.