“Of all the coasts or coast-like shores and waters
you are the one, my watering hole, my home.
Gem on our chain of salt seas, lakes and rivers
What joy – what a thrill! – to clap eyes on you again”

Poet Leontia Flynn skillfully captures the passionate bond between a seaside dweller and their coastal home and at Fairwinds in Sutton you are invited to live with the sea’s murmuring presence at your gate, its views flanking your garden, its moods bringing contrasts to every day.

“Of all the coasts or coast-like shores and waters
you are the one, my watering hole, my home.
Gem on our chain of salt seas, lakes and rivers
What joy – what a thrill! – to clap eyes on you again”

Poet Leontia Flynn skillfully captures the passionate bond between a seaside dweller and their coastal home and at Fairwinds in Sutton you are invited to live with the sea’s murmuring presence at your gate, its views flanking your garden, its moods bringing contrasts to every day. Fairwinds presents an opportunity to the market beyond compare, with unimpeded views of Dublin Bay and the mountains beyond that will ignite the imagination. Once home to the renowned author, the late Christopher Nolan, who as a boy wrote of a “damburst of dreams” the concept now aptly describes the potential of this one-off family home. Bought by Nolan to provide peace and quiet for his writing and sea views for his inspiration, Fairwinds’ study and sunrooms answered those needs. It was the happiest of homes with a good deal of that happiness drawn from the absolute contentment and privilege of living amidst the striking natural beauty of the Sutton shoreline and skies.

The internal accommodation extends to a little under 4,000 square feet but that doesn’t begin to tell the tale. Situated on approximately 1 acre of beautifully landscaped grounds on the edge of the cliff path close to the Martello Tower at Sutton Strand, the 6-bedroom, detached, dormer bungalow occupies a prominent position with uninterrupted and unrivalled, panoramic views across the bay from Poolbeg to Sandymount and on past Dun Laoghaire to Bray Head. Further back, the blue undulations of the Dublin Mountains frame it all. This outstanding family home is now primed for some new owners to make their dream home a reality in one of the best locations in Dublin, full stop. It is close enough to Sutton and Howth to be convenient for shopping, schools and activities yet remote enough to enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the peninsula is famous for. The property is located where the cliff path meets Sheilmartin Road and is at once both prominent and private.

The main house which – as a smaller bungalow – was also the first retreat of the Hare Krishna on the island of Ireland has been well maintained by the owners but is now in need of modernisation. The house is designed in such a way as to be practical yet make the most of the unique location and position next to the Cliff Path. There is an array of well-proportioned rooms on the ground floor with the reception rooms all overlooking Dublin Bay. The kitchen/breakfast room is particularly picturesque with the box bay window framing the view along the beach past the dinghy club and on towards Sutton Cross. Each room provides a different angle and points of interest and as one moves through the home you begin to appreciate how the layout of the house has been moulded to access the 180 degree vista available outside.

The property is situated on a remote part of the hill of Howth but is close enough to Sutton Village and the DART station to be convenient. Watch the merchant ships and ferries glide in to and out of Dublin Port, and the flotilla of boats that sail out from Dun Laoghaire or the colourful local dinghies and kite surfers bobbing on the waves. The views at night with twinkling lights from across the bay are just as mesmerising and walks by the lapping shore after dark are a select pleasure all year round.

Shielmartin Road is one of the most highly sought-after residential addresses in north county Dublin and for good reason. It is a mature residential road of quality family homes with immediate and exceptional views of and access to the sea. It is exceptionally well located close to all the amenities Howth has to offer. Nearby are Howth Golf Club, St Fintan’s National School and Sutton Park school. It is only a few minutes’ drive to the thriving seaside village of Howth with its selection of renowned restaurants, shops and Howth Yacht club for the sailing enthusiasts. There are DART stations in Howth and Sutton and well-serviced bus route has a stop ten steps from the front gate of Fairwinds. Dublin City is only 12km away and Dublin International Airport is approximately a 25-minute drive.

Primed to attract attention from buyers both locally and internationally, it’s easy to say that this is an opportunity not to be missed but in an increasingly built-up city, houses with such long unimpeded sea views, such access to the shore, such peace and tranquillity are vanishingly rare and, into the future, will be rarer still. Fairwinds was and continues to be a genuine once-off, a gem, an unmissable opportunity.