Though the effects of Brexit are so far unknown for England, some are expecting the housing market in Dublin and other areas of the country to see an uptick in interest, as people choose to park their cash in some of the country’s beautiful properties as an alternative to their British neighbor.
"We have seen an increase in inquiries, however none of our sales to date as yet have been as a direct result of Brexit," said Rena O’Kelly, director at Knight Frank Residential in Ireland. She said most of the prime and super-prime are being driven by Irish natives living abroad looking to return to Dublin in the next five years but wanting to buy in the recovery now.
Americans, too, may show considerably more interest in buying property in Ireland, in part because of the relative strength of the dollar against the euro, said Simon Ensor, chairman-auctions director at Sherry FitzGerald Residential (an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate).
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Not only is Dublin conveniently served by plenty of flight options (and happens to have one of Europe’s fastest growing airports), but many extraordinary homes can be found in the city and just past city limits, among well-established coastal communities and the lush countryside.
So, now seems as good a time as any to invest in Ireland. Here’s what’s currently on the market in the Emerald Isle this St. Patrick’s Day:
GORSE HILL, KILLINEY, COUNTY DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN
Price: €8.5M (US$9.07 million)
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 5.5
Built upon two acres of gardens, elevated from the sea, Gorse Hill has views from Dalkey Island, along Killiney Beach to Bray Head, and the Wicklow Mountains. Natural light shines into the south-facing home’s 10,000 square feet of living space, which includes a grand drawing room with French doors offering panoramic views of the bay below. Reminiscent of a period home, this two-story estate was completed in 2000, and has a separate pool house.
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INNISCORRIG CASTLE, DALKEY, DUBLIN
Price: €8.5 million (US$9.07 million)
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 5
Perfect for sailors, this romantic, circa-1847 Victorian home has its own private harbor—one of only two private harbors in Dublin—complete with a working winch capable of lifting a small boat. Inniscorrig Castle boasts views over the seaside town of Dún Laoghaire, and over the bay to Howth peninsula, Dalkey Island, and The Muglins, which can be appreciated from the notable conservatory. The airy, light-filled conservatory connects with the dining room and an outdoor terrace. The turret contains a bedroom and a roof terrace with 360s views.
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LUGGALA, COUNTY WICKLOW
Price: €28 million (US$29.9 million)
Bedrooms: 27
Bathrooms: 18
Luggala is the home of Garech Browne, the great, great grandson of Arthur Guinness, who founded the famed Irish brewery. The property is only 28 miles from Dublin’s city center, but its 5,000 acres in a secluded valley in the Wicklow Mountains make it one of the most unique and private estates around. The main house, built in the 18th century, has seven bedrooms and dramatic lake views. It was restored after a fire in 1956, and fully restored in 1996, an effort that included recreating the original arched windows and installing new electrics and plumbing. More accommodation is found in the guest lodge and cottages throughout the estate.
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25 RAGLAN ROAD, DUBLIN
Price: €4.15 million (US$4.44 million)
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Located in Dublin’s posh 4 postal code, 25 Raglan Road is a painstakingly refurbished Victorian red brick home. Originally built in 1859, the townhouse at one point had been divided into eight studios, before being transformed back into a single-family home by its owners. The garden, while on the smaller side, is formal in style and features manicured greenery and box hedges, and space for entertaining and al fresco dining. Inside, there are five reception rooms, and both a French-style kitchen and kitchenette, which opens directly to the garden.
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CASTLEHYDE, FERMOY COUNTY CORK
Price: €20 million (US$21.4 million)
Bedrooms: 12
Bathrooms: 10
The Castlehyde mansion underwent an extensive, extremely expensive restoration in the early 2000s. The massive estate faces south overlooking the Blackwater river, which is perfect for salmon fishing. Inside the Palladian home, there is a cinema, a bar, wine cellars, a music room, a formal dining room, a hunting room, and a three-story library with a spiral staircase. There’s also a gorgeous indoor swimming pool with a large skylight. Up to 300 guests can be accommodated in the entrance hall, which doubles as a banquet hall and extends the length of the home.
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TURIN CASTLE, CARTRON, KILMAINE, COUNTY MAYO
Price: €1.5 million (US$1.59 million)
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
This medieval stone castle, with its arrow slit windows and a spiral staircase that connects its five floors, is a far cry from today’s all-glass towers that are popular in urban centers. The 13th-century castle has views of the Connemara mountains and sits on 13 acres of pastureland. Perfect for entertaining, there’s a great hall which seats up to 25 guests under a 20-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling. In fact, the current owners currently rent the space for weddings and events. The property can even be rented through Airbnb $990 per night.
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