Time for tee in Greystones
Lane House, Killincarrig Manor, Greystones, Co Wicklow
THE Burnaby in Greystones has always had a certain cache. The estate was built in the late 1890s, planned and developed by the heiress Elizabeth Hawkins-Whitshed. She named it in memory of her swashbuckling husband, Colonel Fred Burnaby, who had died in 1885 fighting Madhist tribesmen in the Sudan. It was just six years after their wedding.
The seaside village of Greystones was at that time a popular place to own a country home. In fact, Hawkins-Whitshed herself owned Killincarrig House, now Greystones Golf Club.
Back then, Lane House was just one of Killincarrig’s many stables, coach houses and outbuildings.
It was this sense of history that interested the current owners of Lane House when they came to buy the property a year ago. They had rented another mews house in the development first for six months.
They were impressed by the combination of heritage and contemporary comforts in the development of 11 properties, all part of the original Burnaby estate and converted 12 years ago. “We hadn’t realised how vibrant Greystones is although we had heard of the Burnaby estate,” they said.
The only sticking point was the number of steps in their rented property as the retired couple wanted greater ease of mobility. When Lane House came up for sale, that problem was solved and they moved 200 yards into the current house which incorporates part of a former coach house and only has a small number of steps.
The design of Lane House, which incorporates almost 130sqm, showcases many original features including cut-stone exterior walls, vaulted ceilings and large arched windows. High ceilings, extensive use of glass, the open plan kitchen/ dining area, and the large hallway all create a sense of space and light.
The high-ceilinged lounge has French doors leading to the patio, a feature the owners particularly like. The patio can also be accessed from the kitchen/dining area and one of the two bedrooms. There is plenty of scope for the new owners to put their own stamp on the interior design with their own needs and tastes in mind.
There is gas-fired central heating with underfloor heating and a zonal control system with reasonable utility bills, according to the owners. The property has a BER of C3.
To the front, there’s a courtyard setting, with communal grounds including a green space, drive and mature plants, shrubs and trees. A management company is in place.
The south-facing sun terrace runs the length of the property which, thanks to the adjoining golf course, is not overlooked and offers the chance for golf lovers to bask in the sport 24 hours a day.
Greystones itself has experienced a mini-boom in recent years, and is an area where property values have risen sharply. According to selling agent Gabriel Dooley of Dooley Auctioneers, there is a total of €34m worth of residential property for sale in Greystones at the moment.
The seaside town is popular with young couples with children in search of value for money, and others who like the educational and sports offering, says Dooley.
“It’s all about leisure living in Greystones,” he says. “Sport is the big one — there is a huge range of sports facilities and great amenities for walkers and cyclists.”
Although the owners have lived in Lane House for just a year, they have enjoyed the experience. “We really like the location and tranquil setting, the property itself and the nice walks.”
They are selling for a variety of personal reasons and are contemplating a move to the sun. They will miss Lane House and Greystones, whatever about the Irish weather.