Lately, it’s become a new habit for me to pause and stare in disbelief as I wander past real estate agents, glancing at the decent-sized homes being sold for the price of small mansions.
This new tradition has become a great annual shock therapy alternative to classic scary movies and murder mystery thrillers.
Here we round up the five most expensive homes sold in Ireland this year. Spoiler alert, not all of them are based in Dublin.
1. Bushy Park House
Emerging to the top is Bushey Park House in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. This Georgian mansion, owned by singer Chris de Burgh, was sold for €9.399 million.
The property was originally listed for sale at €12.5 million when it went on the market in June 2019, but the price was later reduced to €9.85 million, one-fifth of the asking price. The house is located over a kilometer from Enniskerry and consists of eight bedrooms and over 25,685 square feet on 27 acres of land.
The singer bought the property in 1996 and spent over seven years renovating his home, which now features an elevator, panic room, restored stables and guest cottages on the grounds, as well as a tennis court and a walled-in wall. It also has a garden and leisure complex. Indoor pool.
2. 71 Merrion Square
Of course, it didn’t take long for Dublin to appear on the list, with 71 Merrion Square selling for €9,246,550 in June.
Well-known investor Dermot Desmond is the owner of this Georgian property, which he bought in 2000 for an original price of €7 million. The lucky new owners will be able to enjoy a renovated home, with Dermot spending around €5 million on upgrades to the property, according to the Irish Times.
The new owner of number 71 is believed to be Chairman Glenn Dimplex, whose home happens to be number 4 on this list.
3. Paddock Wood
@sherry_fitz Welcome to Paddock Wood, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin ✨ A hillside sanctuary of stunning curves and glass! Among other things, this architectural masterpiece boasts spectacular sea views, an infinity pool and a bespoke driving range. Equipped with 🌊⛳️🏡 #sherryfitz #irishproperty #realestate #dublin #architecture #panoramicview #seaview ♬ New Beginnings – ZydSounds
This contemporary mansion in Killiney, Dublin, was sold for €8.5 million. The house sold by Shelley Fitzgerald looks more like one of the sprawling cliffside estates in Los Angeles than a stretch of south Dublin.
Based on 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens, the property features a glass building, an infinity pool and a 6-hole golf putting green. It was sold in August, with an original asking price of €9.75 million.
Four. drumwreck house
I said this is going to come up again. Drumluck House in Howth was sold for €7.5 million by estate agents Gallagher Quigley in October.
Situated atop a scenic cliff, the mansion features five bedrooms, indoor and outdoor pools, entertaining spaces, and Italian-style gardens.
Chairman Glenn Dimplex’s mansion, which was originally put up for sale with an asking price of €10 million, is understood to have been bought by an Irish family.
5. 24 Burbidge
The Burbidge property has gone down in Irish real estate history as the most expensive apartment ever sold for a whopping €6,999,999.
The 3,454 square foot penthouse was purchased by an Irish businessman who joined Rod Stewart and Roy Keene as owners of the luxurious building. His seventh-floor penthouse at Lansdowne Place consists of his three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom and walk-in closet.
The penthouse building also features 24-hour concierge service, a fitness suite, a morning lounge, and a formal meeting room that can double as a dining space for dinner parties.