Seapoint House, Seapoint Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 EY16, Ireland

Seapoint House - an historic hidden gem widely reputed to be the oldest surviving house in Bray - occupies a secluded site of approx 1/4 acre towards the eastern end of Seapoint Road at the junction with Seymour Road. It was built c.1750 by the Seymour Family who were ship owners and coal/slate merchants. The building pre-dated the existing harbour, the Victorian Promenade and railway. The original gardens extended northwards to the Dargle River where Seymour's Dock serviced the family's business and extended eastwards to the (then) beach area where the harbour was subsequently developed following the 1834 building of railway. The Seymour Estate comprised a cluster of buildings - including main house, coach house and stables - which were linked to Bray Main Street by 'Seymour Avenue' (now Seapoint Road). Later, Seapoint House was extended on its sea-facing side to approx double its original size, the enlarged dwelling appearing on the Irish Historic Towns Atlas of Bray 1837.
Seapoint House, detached and nestling privately in its own mature gardens, is a generously proportioned family home of approx 300 sq metres which exudes character and charm. It comprises drawing room, dining room, study, family living room, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, guest w.c., large kitchen/breakfast area, pantry and spacious hallways. It retains a multitude of delightful well-maintained period features including high ceilings, ornate cornicing, panelled doors and shutters and impressive marble fireplaces. A highlight of the stairwell, with its original elegant handwrought mahogany rail, is the tall, imposing arched feature window. Filled with natural light from all sides, most of the reception areas and bedrooms are dual aspect and enjoy views of lush greenery from the surrounding gardens. From the upper floors there are views of Bray Head to the south and of the harbour/sea to the east with distant views of Killiney Hill and Dalkey Island to the north. According to an article, published in an early edition of Image Magazine, many of the original features of Seapoint House - particularly the sash windows, shutters, doors, ceilings, fan lights and wood work - were restored in the late 1970's by expert craftsmen from west of ireland.
Surrounded by mature grounds, this impressive family home stands proud behind a granite wall with pedestrian access to the front garden and vehicular access to rear garden parking, both access gateways being off Seapoint Road.   The front porch is reached via a crazy-paved pathway.   The front garden is mainly in lawn with flower beds and bordered by mature shrubs and trees. Within the garden a gable-end gated entrance leads through to the rear garden with ample lawn, patios and shrubbery and high mature tree-lined and/or walled boundaries This secluded area, which oozes olde worlde charm, seclusion and character, nestles around the picturesque original (built c1750) front facade of this family home.    Its southerly orientation captures daytime sun and enjoys flowering and fragrant planting that includes Bay tree, Holly, Snowberry,
large Castor Oil plant and trees including Beech and Chestnut. Within this garden area there are separate exterior access doors to a boiler house and a large storage area with floored attic, both of which are contained within the main house building.    A separate building within the garden provides an additional spacious multi-purpose room, formerly a dwelling, comprising approx 35 sq metres *error*. Overhead this garden building, accessed via steps from the garden area and also via the gated entrance from Seapoint Road, is private parking for two/three cars. The rear garden area also leads, via quaint wrought-iron gate and descending granite steps with railing, to a substantial lower (formerly vegetable/fruit tree) garden area with a pedestrian gate opening into Seapoint Court. This tranquil lower garden could provide a delightful setting for recreational facilities e.g. entertaining/BBQ area or a relaxing refuge such as gazebo/garden room.
Seapoint House is set in one of the most convenient and desirable locations in Bray. It is within a few minutes' walk of Bray town centre, the station with Dart and mainline services, the bus terminal, the harbour and the promenade giving future buyers that perfect mix of convenience, community and settled seaside living. The town centre has a good range of shops, restaurants and bars, newly opened Florentine Shopping Centre and (soon to open) Cinema Complex. The vibrant seafront offers a wide choice of cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all occasions while both the harbour and its mile-long promenade provide opportunities for swimming, water sports, boating activities and all year-round leisurely walks in a stunning seaside setting. At the southern end of the promenade is Bray Head and the popular cliff walk to Greystones while a short distance inland lies Killruddery House and Gardens.

Bray is a bustling seaside town 22 kilometres south of Dublin City centre and is acknowledged as the gateway to Wicklow "the garden county of Ireland" with all its exciting opportunities. There are excellent public transport links (Dart and Dublin Bus) and quick access to N11/M11 and M50 road network which provide for easy commutes to Dublin, Dublin Airport (approx 40 minute drive) and beyond. Bray offers a choice of excellent primary and secondary schools, a wide selection of sports and leisure facilities, including golf, tennis, sailing, sea scouts, soccer and other sporting clubs, the Mermaid Theatre and easy access to Universities and Colleges in Dublin.