Into The Blue

The ‘Blue House’ as it is fondly known by those in the area sits pride of place on the Dalkey coastline, let’s take a closer look inside this magnificent family home.

- SIMONE STEPHENSON

With its privileged position on the Dalkey coastline, this bright spacious home is at once magnificent in its setting and gracefully restrained in design. The award-winning gardens with their natural seaside character are bordered by handsomely crafted stone walls, a beautiful array of maritime plants, grasses and special seating areas. The lawns descend gently to the granite foreshore. The garden has a very rare feature – direct access to the sea. Known locally as ‘the blue house’ it has become a marker for sailors and rowers on the bay.

The house was designed to take full advantage of the stunning vistas. There are sea views from every room, constantly changing in the typical Irish ‘four seasons in one day’ kind of way.

Framed with wisteria, the front door opens to reveal the sea and horizon line beyond. The lofty entrance hall with apex skylight and hanging antique stained-glass lantern also acts as a conservatory dining room surrounded by white jasmine and geraniums. Two sets of glazed double doors open into the main drawing room with a substantial box bay window overlooking the bay.

The interior of this airy seaside home consists of high-quality natural materials and finishes. Tall ceilings, high skirtings and generous plaster cornicing lend a classical feel to the interior. An expanse of white limestone leads through the ground floor hallway and continues up the stunning curved stone and wrought iron staircases. Pale wide plank maple flooring runs through all the rooms. The smooth painted plaster walls include shades of Purbeck Stone, Oyster Bed and Ivory Tusk.