Description
The Doolin Longhouse was designed by renowned architect Shelly McNamara, partner with Yvonne Farrell in Grafton Architects. In 1995 it won a Royal Institute Architects Ireland (RIAI) prize, with one of the assessors noting:
`this is the best of the houses in a rural landscape. It`s in a very strong landscape and I like what the architect has done here by having a layering of spaces, you get different glimpses as you look out through the different apertures, across and into the landscape.`
The design won plaudits for its modern interpretation of the traditional Irish longhouse and the `simple aesthetics`. The approach would have been rare for a domestic building twenty nine years ago, including double height living space, full height glazing in the open plan living area with access to a screened courtyard, steel handrails on the bespoke ash staircase and floating shelves in the solid wood kitchen built by a local craftsman. In an interview with 'House and Home` magazine, the original owners explained the brief had been to create a space 'surrounded by light with lots of storage independent of specific rooms.` The south facing glazing and generous skylights supply the light. Upstairs, the north facing front wall is interrupted only with the narrow windows allowing for an abundance of built-in storage along the landing.
The Irish Times featured The Doolin Longhouse in their year-end roundup of 'Property 2018: Twelve standout houses we fell for this year.`
The pandemic years were the opportunity for current owners to make significant upgrades. Keen to preserve the integrity of the award-winning design, they contacted the original architect who recommended a former student, Morgan Flynn, to oversee the project. The stunning result includes additional living space within the existing footprint by converting the garage and a generous home office extension on the opposite side, within one corner of the original courtyard. In addition to improved functionality, the clever design has elevated connection with the courtyard and garden.
It is on entering the front door with its simple Liscannor stone canopy that the architectural magic unfolds. The plan of the house is free and open with a double height, glazed void separating the formal living from the kitchen and dining area at ground floor. A neatly tucked away pantry/laundry room offers ample storage, whilst the converted garage is now a master ensuite bedroom with direct access to the rear south facing courtyard and gardens. The home office of dreams is separated from the living area by a glass wall and also has its own glazed access to the courtyard along with a corner window delivering views that extend to the Cliffs of Moher.
The dining area is connected to the courtyard by an expansive bifolding door and a curved window, again full height. Splayed exterior courtyard walls appear as free-standing 'wind screens` and are pierced with openings that offer framed views of the wider richly planted garden, outdoor swimming pool and surrounding landscape. The recent upgrades have rendered the courtyard integral to the home; accessible from three separate living spaces, partially covered-in, catching sunlight all day long and an illuminated focal point in the evening.
The first floor is accessed from a simple hallway, via a sculptural Ash staircase with a bespoke steel handrail. The hall, stairs, and landing which are on the north side, are given additional light by tall slit windows from the void area and a tiny 'Juliet` balcony which looks back down into that light-filled space.The first floor occupies three bedrooms, one ensuite, one with its own bath and a main shower room.
When satisfied with the house the owners turned their attention to creating a low maintenance slice of paradise in the southwest facing garden by adding a natural (chemical free), self-cleaning swimming pool next to a substantial Janssens greenhouse. The overall result is an oasis of calm that is but a short walk from the vibrant village of Doolin.
Upgrades 2020-2024
1.Home office with corner window, direct access to courtyard via glazed doorway.
2.Converted garage into a double bedroom ensuite, also with own access to courtyard via glazed doorway.
3.New semi-solid oak floor downstairs running seamlessly throughout the ground floor (excluding shower room).
4.Large Bifold door from kitchen/dining opening to courtyard.
5.Granite worktops.
6.Cassette-style Henley stove custom fitted to original stone fireplace in living room.
7.All bedroom windows replaced.
8.Three newly fitted bathrooms/showers.
9.Newly fitted pantry-laundry area.
10.All new appliances including double oven, gas hob, extractor hood, dishwasher and fridge, separate freezer, Quooker® tap installed for instant boiling water.
11.One of four bedrooms repurposed as a dressing room.
12.Freestanding bath added to another bedroom on raised and tiled platform.
13.Newly tiled hallway and carpet upstairs.
14.Renovated rear courtyard; concrete and pebble areas, covered in on three sides.
15.Natural Swimming Pool; chemical free, self-cleaning, low tech UV filtration and pump (energy equivalent to 80-watt bulb) remaining aeration provided by aquatic plants on two sides.
a.More information on how the pool works here https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/2022/07/16/fionnuala-fallon-on-gardening/
16.Solar panels added, southwest facing to garden.
17.Compact area retained behind original garage door for relocated boiler, bins and electric car charging point added.
18.New electric wiring throughout.
19.Large pro steel shed (3 metres x 3 metres).
20.Janssens` Victorian Greenhouse (3 metres x 4.5 metres), black aluminium frame, roof vents and shade screening.
21.PhoneWatch alarm.
•Award winning design; Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
•Double height Atrium / floor to ceiling glazing
•Extended and extensively upgraded `20-'24 / energy efficient B3 rating
•Superb tranquil location, short stroll to Doolin village
•Exquisite south facing 0.5 acre site; self-cleaning natural swimming pool, Cliffs of Moher and sea views
•186.18sqm (2004 sq ft) / year of construction 1993
800 metres to Doolin Village - Gateway to the Aran Islands & The Wild Atlantic Way BER Details
BER: B3
BER No: 111206645
Energy Performance Indicator: 141.81 kWh/m2/yr Negotiator
V95 XN97 4 beds3 baths186.18 m2
V95 XN97 4 beds3 baths186.18 m2
