4 Fontenoy Terrace
Strand Road
Bray
Co. Wicklow
A98 F5Y0

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a seafront property on Fontenoy Terrace, a hidden gem nestled at the foot of Bray Head. At one of the finest locations along the Irish Coast, this home provides a quality of life that is second to none. While conveniently situated just south of County Dublin, with excellent access to Dublin City, this charming Victorian enclave enjoys breathtaking panoramic views across Killiney Bay, to Dalkey Island and Howth beyond, where lucky residents appreciate sunrises and wonderful seascapes whether relaxing to the sound of the waves through the open windows or sea swimming. The celebrated Esplanade, where renowned engineer William Dargan “brought the railway to Bray," duly earning the title “Brighton of Ireland,” is praised by Time Out magazine as one of the most liveable communities in the 21st century. This vibrant setting offers theatre, music, the arts, restaurants, athletic sports, football, Gaelic games, rowing, sailing, tennis clubs, and championship golf courses within a close radius.

This magnificent property is truly special. It is set well back from the quiet seafront roadway and framed by the long lawned garden. While protecting its period plasterwork, cornices, original pine floors, fireplace surrounds, and re-roofing, our vendor has lovingly created a beautiful home over the past two decades where period ambiance and modern amenities coalesce to enchant. With a south/westerly rear orientation infusing the principal rooms with light, cantilevered intercommunicating doors between the sitting room and dining room encourage one to share day-long light with the other, while the elegantly arched hall and stairwell lead to four bedrooms on the first floor. The bedrooms to the front enjoy the expansive views overlooking the sea and of Bray Head. On the ground floor to the rear, the custom-designed kitchen with Carrara Marble countertop has a gas-fired Aga at its heart, creating a generously sized cosy family kitchen/breakfast room during the winter months while enjoying direct access to a sheltered south/westerly outdoor area with three cantilevor umbrellas perfect for al fresco entertaining throughout the long summer days.

Fontenoy Terrace is within walking distance of Dart, commuter train, and city bound bus services. The town’s variety of retail, cafe and leisure amenities are conveniently nearby, whether by walking or cycling the extensive network of cycle paths. With proximity to the N11/M11/M50 corridor and excellent educational amenities at primary, secondary, and post-leaving certificate levels, it offers a wide variety of options for local families. The efficient public transport also provides easy access to Trinity College and University College Dublin. This is an exceptional location for combining the convenience of city living while situated in County Wicklow, “The Garden of Ireland”. In addition to the weekend farmers’ markets, fabulous walks and hikes abound with Kilruddery Desmense, Enniskerry, The Sugar Loaf, Roundwood, Glendalough, Powerscourt Estate, Avondale and Mount Usher Gardens all in the vicinity. Inspired by the natural beauty of the seascape, over the years Bray has created a thriving artistic community for writers, including Joyce and Wilde, modern musicians and artists.

We thoroughly recommend viewing this historic, well-proportioned, and sensitively renovated seafront residence where No. 4’s prominent central location provides spectacular uninterrupted sea views over Dalkey and Howth..

• Charming seafront Victorian terrace on the southern end of Bray’s Esplanade adjacent to the Cliff Walk leading to Greystones.
• Elegant intercommunicating reception rooms with decorative ceiling cornice work
• Tastefully restored and updated, including re-roofing, double-glazed sash windows, retained period fireplace surrounds, functioning window-shutters, and original polished pitch-pine floors.
• Easy walking distance to city-bound buses and Dart.
• Custom kitchen/breakfast room featuring Carrara Marble countertop and gas-fired Aga.
• Turn-key condition.
• No property chain.

The living accommodation extends to  approximately 140.9 sq.m./ 1517 sq. ft., set out thus:-
Porch  Victorian fanlight over panelled front door leading to:
Entrance Hallway  polished timber floor; elegantly arched space leading in turn to the staircase down-lit from the gallery landing. Tiled return level rear area with under stairs storage and glazed double doors to sun-trap patio.
Sitting room  a gracious light-filled room with spectacular views out to sea and towards Bray Head, featuring sash window with shutters and decorative plaster cornices, polished pitch-pine floor, and a period marble fireplace with cast-metal inset and brass surround above a slate hearth. Tall double doors on cantilevered hinges fold back to reveal and intercommunicate with:
Dining room,  polished pitch pine floor, marble period fireplace with cast iron above the slate hearth, and shuttered sash window providing wonderful daylight to both rooms.
Kitchen/ breakfastroom,  with cream tiled floor, gas-fired Aga double oven with twin hot plates, custom cabinetry wall, and floor level cupboards complemented by Italian marble countertops set against a splashback with ample power points. Ariston electric oven, De Dietrich 4-plate hob beneath overhead extractor hood. Integrated dishwasher, freezer, and Belfast earthenware sink. Outward double doors open directly to a sunny patio.
First Floor rear/return:-  
Guest cloakroom  Guest W.C. and wash basin - part timber panelled walls.
Door to private lobby accessing:  
Family bathroom  with tiled floor and walls, bath with electric shower fitting and glass screen, W.C., wash basin, heated towel rail. Hot-press with immersion heater.
Bedroom 1  Double bedroom with a southerly aspect and period fireplace surround.
First Floor:-  Light suffused gallery landing - with Velux roof light and Stira folding drop-down ladder to floored insulated attic storage..
Bedroom 2  to rear, with south/westerly aspect with period fireplace surround.
Main bedroom {3},  to front, period fireplace surround, built-in Florentine style alcove wardrobes, and a lovely outlook over the Irish Sea and views spanning from Howth, Dalkey, and up to Bray Head along the scenic Cliff Walk rising above the southern end of Bray’s Esplanade.
Bedroom 4  single bedroom with the same panoramic sea views.
Outside:-  A gated vehicular entrance serves a shared gravel driveway for both No. 4 and No. 3 Fontenoy Terrace, with space allowing residents at No. 4 to park two cars between the lawned front garden with mature perennial shrubbery and the residence. The rear comprises an attractively sunny garden patio taking full advantage of its sheltered south/westerly aspect, almost like a “room outside,” ideal for al fresco dining. Maintained and exclusively occupied by the vendor and predecessors in title for around half a century, a terraced alpine embankment with an imaginative flight of wooden timber steps ascends to a private deck affording breathtaking views over the rooftops out to the sea and Bray Head.
Services:-  Usual mains services are laid on, including natural gas central heating. Viewing by appointment only with the sole agents.

Bray is known as the Gateway to the Garden of Ireland, and is the longest established seaside town in the country. It is only 19km (12 miles) south of Dublin City and is easily reached by DART, Train, Bus or the N11 road. There is an attractive beach and a spacious esplanade. The scenic Cliff Walk on the eastern side of Bray Head, which continues, into Greystones offers walkers a feast of views on the way.

The town boasts fine period housing, shops, restaurants and evening entertainment. Also available in the immediate locality are golf courses, tennis, fishing, sailing, and horse riding. Another feature of Bray is the variety of amusement centres and carnival attractions, bowling alley, and nightclubs. It really is a stand-alone town with the additional advantage of being on the doorstep of Dublin.