Palermo, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, County Dublin

€5,950,000

Beds	5 beds
Price	€5,950,000
Property Type	Detached House
Size	425 meters²
Energy Rating	BER-C2
Refreshed on	May 27, 2025
Eircode	A96DP66
Group Name	Vincent Finnegan
Sales License Number	001756

Description

Palermo is one of Killiney's most historically significant homes - a Victorian villa whose heritage is deeply woven into Ireland's cultural and architectural story. Built c.1848 by the prominent Hone family, Palermo reflects the refined Italianate style that defined the transformation of Killiney Hill during the mid19th century. The property is not a Protected Structure (today's equivalent of a "listed" building), allowing future custodians greater flexibility in any further works. With its classical proportions and timber framed sash windows (most of which have been sympathetically replaced with high performance replicas), it shares the defining hallmarks of the era and stands proudly within the Killiney Architectural Conservation Area-on a rare, elevated acre of terraced gardens sweeping across Dublin Bay. The Hone family, who owned Palermo well into the 20th century, were central figures in Ireland's artistic and intellectual life. The house is most notably associated with Joseph M. Hone - literary biographer of W.B. Yeats, friend of Jack B. Yeats, and a key figure in the Irish Literary Revival. Correspondence from Palermo to Jack Yeats, now held in the National Gallery of Ireland, reflects the home's role as a creative retreat for some of the most influential minds of the time. As founder of the publishing house Maunsel & Co., Joseph Hone was closely involved in the early literary efforts of James Joyce and maintained friendships with figures such as the Gore-Booth sisters, including Countess Markievicz-placing Palermo firmly within the cultural and political ferment of early 20th century Ireland. Harry Clarke, Ireland's most celebrated stainedglass artist and a contemporary of Evie Hone, was a regular visitor to Palermo and close friend of the Hone family, further underscoring the house's artistic pedigree. A stained-glass window in the main stairwell serves as a further artistic thread-believed to be the work of Evie Hone, cousin of Joseph and one of Ireland's most accomplished stained glass artists. A founding member of An Túr Gloine, she is renowned for works such as the East Window of Eton College Chapel and "My Four Green Fields" in Government Buildings. A private commission for a family home such as Palermo would have been deeply personal-an enduring expression of familial and artistic legacy. Today, following an exhaustive and architecturally sensitive refurbishment, Palermo has been brought into the modern era with impeccable taste and craftsmanship. The result is a truly turnkey residence of rare distinction-where the elegance of the past meets the comfort and performance of contemporary living. Set within approx. one acre of manicured, south east facing terraced gardens, the property also includes a series of additional outbuildings, a detached garage and discreet storage sheds-all behind high granite walls and mature boundaries offering absolute privacy. With its architectural pedigree, cultural resonance and beautifully reimagined interiors, Palermo represents one of the most exceptional residential offerings to come to the South Dublin market in recent memory. Accommodation - A Seamless Blend of Period Grandeur and Modern Refinement A deep-set porch framed by classic timber panelling opens into a wide, high ceilinged entrance hallway, where parquet flooring and original cornicing immediately signal the home's architectural pedigree. The porch floor is finished in striking green marble-an elegant prelude to the grandeur beyond. From here, gracious proportions guide you into the formal drawing room-a showpiece space centred on a stately marble fireplace. A three window bay frames a cinematic vista of the sea, drawing the coastline directly into the room and lending a sense of coastal serenity throughout. A discreet connecting door leads to the bespoke kitchen, designed by Roisin Lafferty and crafted by Rhatigan & Hick. Designed with quiet elegance and thoughtful restraint, this culinary space includes handbuilt cabinetry, quartzite countertops, a large central island and a concealed cooking zone with Miele appliances-including oven, grill, steam oven and hob. Hidden worktops ensure attention remains on the extraordinary sea views, while double French doors open directly onto a newly constructed full width balcony with contemporary steel balustrade-an ideal vantage point to enjoy Killiney Bay in all seasons. Opposite the drawing room, the formal dining room offers intimate entertaining space beneath ornate cornicing, while a warm and inviting study with gas fireplace, sits to the front of the house. A cloakroom with guest WC completes this level. A striking stainedglass window lights the staircase, filtering soft colour through the core of the home. On the return, a further stained-glass window frames the gardens before the stairs descend to the lower ground floor-a space reimagined for modern living and entertaining. LOWER GROUND - Underfloor Heated, Flexible Living Here, a dedicated wine cellar welcomes guests and connoisseurs alike, leading to an expansive laundry and utility area, generous hidden storage, hot press and an additional shower room. A wellappointed gym and a separate office-both of which could easily serve as additional bedrooms thanks to the adjacent shower-overlook the gardens, while a spacious games room enjoys direct access to the gravelled lower terrace. A sunken garden lies just beyond, framed by timber seating and terracotta tiles, offering a moment of tranquillity amidst landscaped grounds. At the lower boundary, granite steps lead to a secure pedestrian gate offering direct access to Strathmore Road. FIRST FLOOR - Bedrooms with Panoramic Vistas The principal suite, with a marble fireplace and trio of sash windows commanding one of the finest outlooks in Killiney. Its ensuite is finished in understated luxury: tiled flooring, walk in shower and a marble topped vanity, all oriented toward the sea facing window. Bedroom 2 enjoys views of Killiney Hill and the Obelisk; its ensuite includes an original marble fireplace and contemporary fittings. Bedroom 3 enjoys double aspect windows with views to Killiney Hill and the sea, including an en-suite. Bedroom 4 with sink and a separate WC complete this level. All bedrooms feature matching picture rails and coving for visual continuity. A well appointed family bathroom on the return includes a marble topped vanity unit and roll topped cast iron bath to complement the high-end fittings. Gardens & Grounds Set behind high granite walls and approached by a sweeping driveway, Palermo occupies an exceptionally private and elevated position within Killiney's most prestigious enclave. The one acre grounds have been carefully terraced to enhance both views and usability, with a thoughtful balance of formal and natural planting, mature trees and structural hardscaping. From the upper levels, a newly constructed balcony runs the width of the house, offering an extraordinary vantage point over the bay-ideal for morning coffee or evening dining. Below, a gravel and flagstone terrace provide a sheltered seating area beneath the balcony's overhang, creating a natural garden room that connects seamlessly with the lower ground floor accommodation. Stone steps lead gently through the tiered gardens, where clipped hedging, colourful borders and manicured lawns frame a sequence of outdoor spaces including a sunken tiled garden with builtin seating-a tranquil retreat that offers breathtaking sea views framed by the surrounding hills and mature trees. A back gate at the lower boundary opens directly onto a leafy laneway, giving a fiveminute walk to the beach and a short stroll to the DART station for swift access to Dublin City Centre. Throughout the grounds, original garden structures, sheds and a detached garage provide discreet utility. From the subtle scent of wisteria to the sound of birdsong on the wooded hillside, the gardens at Palermo are a rare and restorative escape-just 30 minutes from Dublin City Centre.

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION Entrance Porch: (2.41m x 2.39m) Marble floor, cloakroom area, timber panelling, radiator and electrical points. Entrance Hallway: (9.55m x 2.39m) Stained timber parquet floor, security alarm and intercom system, wood panelling, original cornicing and stained-glass window. Drawing Room: (6.51m x 6.35m) Stained original timber flooring, chimney piece with fire surround, picture rail and ornate cornicing, storm shutters on bay windows with superb sea views. Door leading to: Kitchen/Breakfast Room: (5.44m x 6.90m) Rhatigan & Hick crafted and Roisin Lafferty designed kitchen with quartzite countertops, large island with seating area, integrated sink and dishwasher. Enclosed cooking area with Miele steam oven, grill and BORA hob. Enclosed built-in coffee/pantry station and integrated double fridge/freezer. Bay window with storm shutters and double doors leading to the long balcony with fantastic sea views. Study: (4.05m x 3.05m) Stained original timber flooring, gas fireplace with timber and marble surround, radiator and electrical points. Dining Room: (4.70m x 2.85m) Stained original timber floor, picture rail coving and ornate cornicing, storm shutters and concealed drinks cabinet. Cloakroom: (2.27m x 3.05m) Timber flooring, storage closets and sink. Guest WC: Timber floor, wc, whb and radiator. FIRST FLOOR Bedroom 1: (7.00m x 4.46m) Stained original timber floor, hand crafted curved wardrobes, feature surround stone marble fireplace. En suite: Tiled floor, underfloor heating, shower, WC, vanity unit with marble inset sink, copper towel rail. Bedroom 2: (4.03m x 3.9m) Stained timber floor, built in wardrobes, ladder to mezzanine den. Fantastic views of Killiney Hill and Obelisk Ensuite (4.3m x 1.77m) Tiled floor, wc, whb, shower, heated towel rail and original marble fireplace. Bedroom 3: (4.8m x 3.66m) Dual aspect with timber flooring, built in wardrobes, marble surround fireplace. Ensuite: (1.21m x 2.43m) Tiled floor, wc, whb and shower. Bedroom 4: (4.8m x 3.66m) Stained timber floor, ample built in wardrobes and storm shutters. Guest WC: wc and whb FIRST FLOOR RETURN Bathroom: (1.64m x 3.71m) Tiled wall and floor, wc, marble topped vanity unit, cast iron roll topped bath and shower. BASEMENT LEVEL Games room: (5.07m x 6.83m) - Wide plank timber floor, red brick surround with stove inset, sash windows and double doors leading to rear garden. Study: (5.6m x 3.22m) Timber flooring, original solid wood storage units, timber panelling and door leading to rear garden. Gym: Wide plank timber flooring, sash window with sea view, radiator and electrical points. Laundry: Wide array of wall and floor units, tiled floor, Belfast sink and storage. Wine Cellar: (4.25m x 2.46m) Original clay tile floor, brick and stone surround. Shower Room: (3.59m x 1.42m) Tiled wall and flooring, wc, whb and shower.

Features

Features at a Glance Exceptional period residence built c.1848 by the Hone family, set on approx. 1 acre of landscaped, sun filled terraced gardens with panoramic coastal views Not a Protected Structure, affording greater flexibility for future works Located within the Killiney Architectural Conservation Area, minutes from Dalkey Village and Killiney Hill Meticulously restored and modernised to true turnkey condition while retaining period features including storm shutters, cornicing, fireplaces and parquet flooring Elegant reception rooms with 3 window sea facing bay in drawing room, original Gracie hand painted silk wallpaper and marble chimneypiece Rhatigan & Hick bespoke kitchen with quartzite countertops, large island, hidden work stations, Miele steam oven, grill & BORA hob, plus double French doors to the sea facing terrace Full width balcony off kitchen/dining area with steel balustrade to the garden terrace Lower ground floor with underfloor heating, gym/bedroom, office/bedroom, wine cellar, games room (timber floor), utility/laundry with side entrance, shower room Principal bedroom suite with marble fireplace, handcrafted curved wardrobes and sea facing ensuite with freestanding bath and marble topped vanity Three further bedrooms, two ensuite, plus additional family bathroom with marble topped vanity and guest WCs Stained glass feature window, believed to be the work of Evie Hone; Harry Clarke counted among Palermo's regular visitors Stone walled courtyard with extensive parking, private pedestrian access to the sea Outbuildings include garage, storage sheds and original garden structures, offering further utility or potential Extensive internal & external CCTV and video security system, intercom and electric gates; both houses are wired for Cat 4 data cabling This is not simply a home-it is an heirloom of Irish cultural history, ready for its next chapter.

BER Details

BER: C2

Description

Accommodation

Features

BER Details

BER: C2