Elmsworth, about 7.5 miles north of central Dublin, is the only known private residence designed by James Gandon, the neoclassical architect behind the Irish capital’s opulent Four Courts and Custom House buildings.
The villa, completed in 1794 for banker James Woodmason and now available for €9.25 million (about $10.9 million), still bears Gandon’s trademarks: elegant symmetry, curved internal walls, and a sense of quiet drama that doesn’t feel overwrought.
And, there’s the tunnel. Now blocked on both ends, the underground passage once linked Emsworth to the neighboring Abbeville estate. According to local lore, the half-mile tunnel was conceived less for convenience than for security, built during a time of civil unrest. It still exists—and its presence adds a layer of intrigue to what’s already one of Ireland’s most storied private homes.
The 80-acre estate, however, is far from frozen in time. The current owner, a Dublin businessman, bought the property in 2013 and spent the next decade restoring and expanding it with the help of award-winning firms Henry J. Lyons and Ventura Design, the Irish Times reported. Their approach wasn’t only about preserving the past but also about giving the house a future.
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A new addition houses a sleek kitchen and lounge that spills out to the gardens.
Savills Ireland
A new addition with soaring ceilings and walls of glass is more of an architectural statement than a simple extension and houses a custom, dual-island kitchen by Andrew Ryan. The light-filled space opens to terraces on three sides, there’s a hidden bar tucked behind the custom black cabinetry, and, most notably, a glass panel in the floor revealing the property’s original water well.
The main house now spans over 7,100 square feet, with five reception rooms and four bedroom suites, each uniquely styled. The two-story primary suite, designed by Ventura’s Arlene McIntyre, includes a private staircase down to a private bath with double marble vanities and a walk-in shower.
A separate two-bedroom guest house converted from a vintage coach house has been finished to the same standard, with vaulted ceilings and a spiral staircase. A triple-bay garage and climate-controlled wine cellar are attached to the main residence, while a substantial outbuilding has been converted to include a fully equipped gym, a Pilates studio, and a spa area with a sauna and plunge pool.
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The stately dining room in the main house retains much of its vintage detailing.
Savills Ireland
Outdoors, the estate reads like a private wellness retreat. A heated swimming pool and jacuzzi sit beside two BBQ areas and a covered pavilion with infrared heaters, surround sound, and an outdoor TV. There’s a tennis court, a padel court, an astro pitch, and a golf practice area—not to mention woodland walking trails, a lake, and 17 acres of landscaped gardens. The remaining 58 acres are agricultural and currently leased to Teagasc, Ireland’s agriculture authority—ensuring a protective greenbelt around the estate.
Over the years, Emsworth has collected a fair share of notable names. In the 1930s, it was home to John F. Maguire, who took over the Brown Thomas department store from Selfridges. Rumor has it Grace Kelly was once photographed by the pool. Newspaper founder Gerry McGuinness lived here, as did Tony O’Reilly’s longtime tax adviser, Noel Corcoran.
“It’s one of the most remarkable homes to come to market in Ireland in recent years,” says Savills property agent James Butler. “It’s got that mix of heritage, privacy, design pedigree, and location—just 15 minutes from the airport. There’s really nothing else like it.”
Click here to see more photos of the estate near Dublin.
Savills Ireland
Authors
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Abby Montanez
Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…