Uplands, Annamoe, Co. Wicklow, A98DK23

Uplands is a magical stone-cut 19th-century Victorian lodge beautifully nestled within some 42-acres (17-hectares) of private grounds set within a dramatic river valley framed by the Wicklow mountains on the periphery of quaint Annamoe village. 5 receptions, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Enjoying an elevated south-facing hillside position the mountain views are superb and privately enjoyed, the ample grounds ensuring Uplands to be a private sanctuary. Built in the 1870’s as a hunting lodge for the Synge family, then owners of the vast nearby Glanmore Castle Estate, Uplands later became the primary home for Emily Synge, sister of the renowned playwright John Millington Synge. A gravelled laneway, overlooking pastural farmland and lined with a canopy of mature Oak, Beech, Hazel and Ash trees, leads up the house and a large parking courtyard. Benefitting from comprehensive restoration works within the last twenty years, completed circa 2006, Uplands is presented in excellent condition. The works removing unsympathetic add-ons from the 1930’s and 1960’s to re-open the marvellous south-facing aspect and allow the original granite stonework to again be appreciated. Entirely private with completely unbridled or unobstructed views in every direction the sunny aspect and large windows ensure natural light is optimised from dawn to dusk. Whilst thoroughly refurbished the light filled accommodation retains a fine historic character with decorative ceiling central roses, ceiling cornices, carved timber window and door architraves, timber sash windows and doors, two open fireplaces, two wood stoves and solid timber polished flooring boards throughout. The effect is extremely pleasant and homely with the obvious benefit of being modernised. The hospitable informal original hunting lodge layout making Uplands an extremely comfortable home. A large drawing room faces west and has a decorative open fireplace with a large fire grate and double French doors opening on the Juliet style balcony and into a large sun filled garden room. Facing south, east and west and top-lit from a glazed atrium the garden room is a gloriously bright space and double French doors open onto the south-facing front patio terrace. The family room is generous and enjoys a triple aspect with double French doors opening onto the south-facing patio terrace, a decorative marble fireplace with woodstove insert and fitted bookcases along the entire back wall. A study or home office has fitted shelving and faces south. The central stair hall has a carved timber staircase to upstairs and links to a cloakroom and shower room with guest WC. The kitchen is generously sized with double French doors providing access to an east-facing patio terrace and a side-snug with fitted bookcases links internally to the inner dining hall, which has double French doors to the south-facing patio and a beautifully green coloured marble fireplace with wood stove insert. Fully fitted the kitchen has ample wall and floor cupboards, a breakfast bar, polished granite worktops, a large 4-oven Aga cooking stove and timber flooring. A dual aspect and ceiling glazed atrium provide good natural light, which is augmented by recessed spot lighting. There are separate pantry and laundry rooms. Upstairs a large landing hall accesses four bedrooms (two ensuite) and the family bathroom, with a roll-top bath and separate shower. Bedroom 1 has a decorative cast iron open fireplace with a large fire grate, double French doors opening on to a west-facing Juliet style balcony with magical mountain views and an en-suite WC with wash-hand-basin. Bedroom 2 has a dual aspect, the south-facing window with a deep window seat, and a bathroom en-suite with roll-top bath and separate shower. Bedrooms 3 and 4 are both south facing. The private grounds thrive with wildlife and natural flora and includes a marvellous woodland walk. Planting includes wild orchids, ancient varying-coloured Rhododendrons, bluebells, swathes of wild garlic and ferns. In the 1940s the legendary gardener Vita Sackville West sourced rare and uncommon bulbs from a noted Nursery at Uplands. Courtyard studio, 2 stables, large storage shed. Uplands presents quintessential country living yet is easily accessible to Dublin city centre (26-miles or 42-km) and less than 1-hour driving distance of Dublin International Airport. Ralph Cusack, the painter and author, lived and entertained at Uplands in the 1940’s with Brendan Behan, Anthony Cronin and Lady Caroline Blackwood known to have partied with fellow creatives and visiting artists. The novelist Frederick Forsyth lived at Uplands in the 1970’s. Notable residents in and around Annamoe village include Daniel Day-Lewis, actor, and Paul McGuinness, former U2 manager. Notable past residents include Paddy Moloney, founder and leader of the traditional Irish band The Chieftains, John Millinton Synge, writer, Paolo Tullio, chef whose foodie travel book North of Naples, South of Rome was made into a successful TV series, and Erskine Childers, the former Irish president. Selling Agent: David Ashmore [dashmore@lisneysir.com, +353 87 251 2909].