Dream the classic dream in an archaeologically rich site

THE trees root this house to its site - but as recently as five years ago, and quite incredibly, they were set to be cleared.

Rather than seeing the mature grove of elm, ash, and chestnut as an asset, the purchasers of this archaeologically rich site at Asdee in North Kerry near Ballybunion were advised locally that they should fell the trees and save the timber for burning.

Now, with an Aga stove going into the house, it might have been tempting to have a store of firewood right on site, but the couple setting out to build here had to good sense to leave well enough alone.

The couple who built this dream home had attacked the project with confidence: they knew just what they wanted.

“We wanted to create the rectory house look,” they say. With the work done, and after a 2003 feature in the glossy interiors magazine House and Home, the couple want to try something different, a contemporary solar house with eco-friendly features.

And, in fact, there was an inevitability about the fact this place at Tullahinell, Ballylongford might get offered for sale sooner or later: this is the couple’s eighth building project, one of which was a pub in Ballybunion, and they did four homes in the US.

Their Asdee home is put up for sale this weekend with Property Partners Finucane Daly, with a modest €550,000-plus price guide, modest given the size and finish quality of their home, on eight attractive acres which even include the tree-fringed remains of an old ring fort.

Selling agent Jean Daly enthuses about the property, which she feels will draw buyers from further afield.

Much of the attractions here are hand-crafted, such as the carved graceful hardwood timber staircase and the country kitchen with creamy four Aga oven, and colour-matching units with island and teak worktops.

The hall has a porcelain black and white tiled floor, main rooms include a sitting room/library and family room with antique fireplaces and salvaged wood floors, and there’s a kitchen/breakfast room, utility and guest WC, plus study.

Overhead, there are four principal bedrooms, most with built ins, the master bedroom has an en suite with power shower, and there’s a main family bathroom as well.

The specification doesn’t stop there, as there’s a garage/outbuilding which is plumbed and wired for heavy-duty washing machine and dryer.