Photograph 1 of 26 of Actonville, Ballybawn Lower, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow
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Actonville, Ballybawn Lower, Kilmacanogue, Co. WicklowA98W104

€775,000

3 Bed~2 Bath~187 m²~BER G

What you'll like:

  • Scenic mountain views: The property commands pleasant views towards both Sugarloaf Mountains, providing a picturesque rural backdrop that enhances everyday living and long-term aesthetic appeal.
  • Generous plot size: Set on gloriously mature 0.71-acre grounds, the property offers fantastic outdoor space, complete privacy, and ample room for recreational activities or gardening.
  • Mature landscaped gardens: The gardens feature maintained lawns, mature trees, architectural planting, and vibrant shrubbery like Japanese Acer, creating an established and tranquil natural environment.
  • South westerly orientation: The rear grounds take full advantage of a sunny aspect, making the patio areas perfect for outdoor family gatherings and soaking up afternoon sunlight.
  • Detached bungalow layout: All internal accommodation is scheduled across one level, offering accessible and convenient living spaces without the physical constraint of internal staircases.
  • Dual aspect living room: The generously proportioned living room features exposed beams, a granite stone fireplace, and great natural light filtering through from multiple directions.
  • Separate sunroom space: A tiled sunroom with sliding patio doors offers an inviting transitional zone between the primary interior living areas and the sunny outdoor patio.
  • Cozy second sitting room: A dedicated sitting room showcases a multi-fuel stove, providing a warm and intimate environment for colder winter evenings and family relaxation.
  • Principal bedroom en-suite: The main bedroom benefits from a private en-suite bathroom, adding an extra layer of comfort and convenience for the primary occupants.
  • Extensive conservatory structure: A lengthy 32 square meter conservatory runs along the side of the property, offering flexible additional space for relaxation and indoor plant care.
  • Secure gated entrance: The bungalow is approached behind secure electric gates and a long-gravelled driveway, ensuring enhanced privacy, safety, and a grand sense of arrival.
  • Ample off-street parking: The wide gravelled driveway opens generously to the front of the house, providing plenty of parking space for multiple vehicles and visiting guests.
  • Detached garage building: A large 18 square meter detached garage with an adjoining shed caters perfectly to heavy storage needs and practical DIY workshop projects.
  • Integrated home office: The outbuilding complex includes a dedicated home office space, making remote working extremely convenient without sacrificing household living areas.
  • Home produce potential: The rear grounds feature an array of fruit trees and designated patches for growing vegetables, ideal for buyers interested in sustainable suburban homesteading.
  • Close to Enniskerry: The nearby communities of Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue offer local shops, crafts, eateries, and friendly inns just a short drive away from the rural retreat.
  • Proximity to attractions: World-class amenities like Avoca Handweavers and the Powerscourt Pavilion are located only minutes away, adding fantastic lifestyle options for weekend outings.
  • Commuter accessibility: Easy access to the nearby N11, M11, and M50 corridor offers strong connectivity for motorists traveling into Dublin and surrounding employment hubs.
  • Public transport links: City-bound bus services and DART feeder options located nearby help support commuters who prefer avoiding peak-hour driving stress.
  • Outdoor recreation access: Situated near the scenic Sugarloaf and beside Carrigoona Commons, outdoor enthusiasts gain immediate access to incredible hiking trails and nature walks.

But keep in mind:

  • Extremely poor BER rating: The property holds a G energy rating with a high consumption indicator of 390.97 kWh/y, signaling a severe need for comprehensive thermal upgrades.
  • Significant modernization required: Constructed around 1974, the interior requires substantial updating and modernization, which will demand a considerable capital investment after purchase.
  • Outdated heating system: Reliance on oil-fired central heating without modern renewable integrations means high ongoing energy bills until a cleaner heating system is installed.
  • Private septic tank system: The property uses an on-site septic tank, requiring the buyer to inspect its structural integrity, capacity, and compliance with modern environmental regulations.
  • High insulation costs: Bringing a G-rated 1970s bungalow up to modern comfort standards will likely require extensive dry-lining, attic insulation, and window replacements.
  • Unregistered conservatory size: The lengthy 32 square meter conservatory is excluded from the main floor area, meaning buyers should verify local planning compliance for this structure.
  • Renovation budget risk: Because the house needs extensive updating, buyers must budget carefully for unexpected structural issues common in homes of this vintage.
  • Planning permission hurdles: While there is scope to extend subject to planning permission, local Wicklow planning restrictions in rural areas can sometimes complicate major redesigns.
  • Single-pane or older glazing: The age of the house suggests existing windows may be drafty and inefficient, adding immediate replacement costs to the improvement ledger.
  • Roof and timber checks: Exposed beams and older roof structures require a thorough surveyor investigation to rule out woodworm, dampness, or structural sagging.
  • Electrical system age: Wiring dating back decades may no longer meet current safety standards, requiring a complete electrical rewiring by a certified professional.
  • Plumbing modernization needs: Older pipework throughout the bathrooms and kitchen should be inspected for corrosion, leaks, or inadequate water pressure.
  • Drainage and surface water: The large 0.71-acre grounds should be checked by a professional to ensure proper surface water drainage away from the foundations during heavy rainfall.
  • Boundary fence verification: Given the rural mature setting, the buyer's legal representative should meticulously verify all property boundary lines against Land Registry maps.
  • Radon gas mitigation: Properties in parts of County Wicklow can experience elevated radon levels, making a pre-purchase radon test a sensible due diligence step.
  • Maintenance of mature trees: The abundance of mature trees close to the dwelling requires ongoing professional arboricultural management to prevent root intrusion or falling branches.
  • Driveway maintenance costs: The long gravel driveway will require periodic top-ups, grading, and weed management to maintain its neat appearance and easy vehicle access.
  • Reliance on private transport: Although transport links exist nearby, the rural location inherently requires heavy reliance on private cars for daily errands and school runs.
  • High retrofit disruption: Undertaking a deep energy retrofit on a G-rated bungalow often means living elsewhere or enduring months of noisy, dusty construction work.
  • Potential asbestos presence: Given the 1970s construction era, a surveyor should check for potential asbestos-containing materials in old insulation, tiles, or soffits.

Price positioning

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This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.
The asking price looks mildly undervalued compared with the available evidence.
  • The asking price appears somewhat undervalued given the substantial 0.71-acre mature site, scenic mountain views, and overall floor area in a highly desirable rural yet accessible location near Kilmacanogue.
  • Undervaluation signals stem primarily from the very poor G energy rating and the extensive modernization required to bring the 1970s bungalow up to contemporary standards of comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Potential buyers might be deterred by the significant capital expenditure needed for a deep retrofitting project, though strong local demand for large private plots could easily support and justify the quoting figure.
  • Relevant contextual factors include the presence of useful outbuildings like a detached garage and home office, plus excellent proximity to major transport corridors and desirable lifestyle amenities in Wicklow.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is a detached bungalow constructed circa 1974, meaning it predates modern building regulations for insulation and energy efficiency, and a buyer should investigate the potential presence of original building materials such as asbestos.
  • The listing notes the presence of a septic tank, so a buyer should verify its condition, capacity, and compliance with current environmental and local authority regulations.
  • Given the age of the house and its G energy rating, a buyer should carry out a thorough structural survey to check for damp, inadequate ventilation, and the condition of the roof, plumbing, and electrical systems.
  • The property includes a large 0.71-acre plot and existing outbuildings including a detached garage and home office, and any future extensions or reconfigurations mentioned should be verified for planning permission compliance.

Retrofit Cost*

Possible renovating / insulating expenditure

  • The property currently holds a G BER rating, indicating very poor energy performance with high heat loss through walls, windows, and roof spaces.
  • A comprehensive deep retrofit to bring the property up to a modern B2 BER standard or higher would likely require external wall insulation, upgraded attic or roof insulation, high-performance double or triple-glazed windows and doors, the installation of a modern renewable heating system such as a heat pump, and possibly upgraded ventilation.
  • Estimated costs for a comprehensive deep retrofit on a detached property of this size (approximately 187 square meters including notable sunroom/conservatory areas) typically range from €50,000 to €80,000 or more, depending on the scope of works and before factoring in any available SEAI grants.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Estimated annual heating cost: 3500 to 4500 euro.
  • Explanation: Given the BER rating of G and the floor area of approximately 187 square metres, the property has a very high energy performance indicator, leading to significant oil or solid fuel heating requirements until energy efficiency upgrades are carried out.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The property is located in a scenic rural setting near the Sugarloaf Mountains, appearing well removed from major industrial plants or modern municipal incinerators.
  • Any potential legacy waste or local environmental management concerns specific to rural sites should be independently verified by prospective buyers.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The elevated rural topography near the foothills of the Sugarloaf generally indicates a lower susceptibility to widespread river or coastal flooding.
  • Buyers should consult detailed local flood maps and verify site-specific drainage given the sloping gardens and rural context.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

  • FESTINA LENTE, BALLYBAWN LOWER, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €770,000.00
  • KILLOUGH COTTAGE, BALLYBAWN LOWER, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €1,000,000.00
  • KILLOUGH COTTAGE, BALLYBAWN LOWER, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €125,000.00

Recent sales in the wider Kilmacanogue area

  • 26 ROCKY VALLEY CRESCENT, KILMACANOGUE, CO WICKLOW

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €1,200,000.00
  • 8 THE LODGE, LOCKEY VALLEY CRESCENT, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €440,000.00
  • JACKS HOLLOW, POWERSCOURT PADDOCK, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €1,028,000.00
  • THE MEWS, KILMURRY GROVE, KILMACANOGUE

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €144,400.00
  • 50 ROCKFIELD PARK, KILMACANOGUE, WICKLOW

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €421,000.00

Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR). Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.

Last Sale

A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property

No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.

Buyer fees*

Associated expenses guide

  • Solicitor legal fees: approximately 1500 to 3000 euro plus outlay and VAT.
  • Land registration fees: approximately 600 to 800 euro depending on the property value.
  • Property valuation fees: approximately 150 to 250 euro.
  • Surveyor fees: approximately 500 to 1200 euro depending on the depth of the survey.
  • Annual home insurance: approximately 400 to 800 euro depending on the coverage and location.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Local residents frequently discuss the scenic appeal and tranquil environment of living near the Sugarloaf Mountains and Carrigoona Commons.
  • Community discussions often highlight the convenient access to local amenities in Kilmacanogue and Enniskerry, alongside proximity to Bray and Greystones.
  • Commuters in the area often share updates regarding traffic flow along the N11/M11/M50 corridor and city-bound bus connectivity.
  • Discussions in regional forums occasionally touch upon rural property maintenance considerations, such as private septic tank management and heating upgrades.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The property features 0.71 acres of completely private mature gardens and lawns, providing a wonderful and secure outdoor play area behind electric gates. However, the bungalow requires updating and modernisation, and buyers should verify if any internal layout changes are needed for family safety.

    7/10
  • Teenagers

    There are three double bedrooms and multiple living spaces including a sunroom and sitting room, giving teenagers room to spread out. The detached garage also includes a home office space. However, the rural setting means teenagers will rely heavily on parents for transport to local amenities and schools in Bray or Greystones.

    6/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    The single-level bungalow layout without stairs is beneficial for older family members, and the generous footprint allows for flexible living arrangements. However, with only three bedrooms and shared bathroom facilities, multi-generational living might feel constrained without undertaking structural reconfigurations or extensions.

    5/10
  • Single Buyers

    The asking price of €775,000 combined with a G BER rating and the need for significant modernisation makes this a substantial project for a single buyer. Maintenance of the 0.71-acre grounds also demands a considerable investment of time and money.

    4/10
  • Couples

    For couples looking for a peaceful rural retreat with great potential to renovate and create a unique home, this property is ideal. The dual-aspect living room, south-westerly patio, and scenic mountain views offer a fantastic lifestyle setting.

    8/10
  • Empty Nesters

    Single-level accommodation eliminates the need to navigate stairs, making it very suitable for ageing in place. The extensive gardens and detached garage/workshop cater well to hobbies, though the maintenance requirements of a large mature site should be considered.

    8/10
  • Retirees

    The peaceful, private setting with secure electric gates and single-level living suits retirement well. Proximity to Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue offers local conveniences, though reliance on a car is absolute given the rural location.

    7/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    Broadband is available, and the inclusion of a detached home office next to the garage provides an excellent separated workspace away from the main house.

    8/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    Easy access to the N11/M11/M50 corridor and city-bound bus services or nearby DART feeder services offer good commuting connectivity for hybrid workers.

    7/10
  • Retired

    The peaceful, single-level environment with beautiful gardens and proximity to village amenities makes it a wonderful haven for retirement.

    9/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    The entire internal accommodation is scheduled across one level with no stairs, making it highly practical for ageing in place.

    9/10
  • Low Maintenance

    The property has a G BER rating, requires updating and modernisation, utilizes a septic tank and oil-fired central heating, and sits on a large 0.71-acre mature garden requiring regular upkeep.

    3/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    The bungalow is set securely behind electric gates with a long gravelled driveway providing ample private parking.

    9/10
  • Minimalist Design

    The current 1970s aesthetic features traditional elements like parquet flooring, exposed beams, and a granite stone fireplace, which lean away from minimalist design unless renovated.

    3/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    Given the large existing layout of 155 sq. m, there is substantial scope to reconfigure or further extend the property subject to planning permissions.

    7/10
  • Heritage Home

    Constructed c. 1974, it is an established older home with character features like parquet flooring and stone fireplaces, though it falls short of formal historic heritage status.

    4/10
  • Ecological Setup

    The property carries a G BER rating with an energy performance indicator of 390.97 kWh/y, indicating significant energy efficiency updates are required. Buyers should verify current system efficiencies.

    3/10
  • Outdoor areas

    Outstanding 0.71-acre grounds with south-westerly orientation, mature trees, fruit trees, vegetable patches, and multiple patio areas offering complete privacy.

    10/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    The 0.71-acre plot is packed with mature trees, architectural planting, vibrant shrubbery like Japanese Acer, Fern Tree, and Bamboo, plus an array of fruit trees and patches for home produce.

    10/10
  • Walking

    Situated right near the Sugarloaf and beside Carrigoona Commons, the location offers exceptional access to scenic walking and hiking trails.

    9/10
  • Gym

    There is no dedicated indoor gym facility on-site, though the detached office and garage structure could potentially be adapted, and commercial gyms are a drive away in nearby towns.

    4/10
  • Cycling

    The scenic country roads around Kilmacanogue and the Sugarloaf offer great cycling routes for enthusiasts, though rural roads can lack dedicated cycle lanes.

    6/10
  • Golf

    The location in Co. Wicklow puts several prominent golf courses and country clubs within comfortable driving distance.

    7/10
  • Fishing

    Proximity to coastal waters and local rivers provides decent access to fishing opportunities, though not directly on the doorstep.

    6/10
  • Horse Riding

    The rural Wicklow setting is well-known for equestrian activities, with local stables and riding infrastructure accessible in the wider area.

    7/10
  • Water Sports

    Water sports are accessible a short drive away at the nearby coastal towns of Bray and Greystones.

    5/10
  • Entertaining

    The property features a generous dual-aspect living room, sunroom, and multiple south-westerly patios that are ideal for outdoor gatherings and family events in warmer months.

    8/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Nestled away in the townland of Ballybawn, peace, privacy, and seclusion completely set the tone for this property, blending naturally into the surrounding countryside.

    10/10
  • Rural Living

    Set on 0.71 acres of glorious mature grounds with views of the Sugarloaf Mountains, this property delivers an authentic rural charm while remaining in touch with suburban amenities.

    9/10
  • Village Living

    Communities of Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue are close at hand, offering shops, eateries, crafts, and friendly inns within a short drive.

    7/10
  • Coastal Living

    While the property is inland near the mountains, the coastal towns of Bray and Greystones with their beaches and DART services are just a short drive away.

    5/10
  • Urban Living

    This is distinctly a countryside haven rather than an urban environment, requiring a drive for most city-style conveniences and nightlife.

    2/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Proximity to Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue ensures active local communities with shops, inns, and local events to get involved in.

    7/10
  • Café Culture

    Local eateries and spots like Avoca Handweavers and Powerscourt Pavilion are minutes away, though broader cafe culture requires heading into Bray or Greystones.

    6/10
  • Nightlife

    The immediate area is very quiet and rural; vibrant nightlife options are limited locally and require traveling to larger nearby towns.

    3/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Local community hubs and nearby towns offer wellness classes, and the natural surroundings provide great opportunities for health-focused outdoor activities.

    6/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    Given its secluded rural setting, formal professional networking opportunities locally are sparse, requiring travel toward Dublin or major business hubs.

    4/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    While broadband is available for remote tech roles, physical proximity to major tech hubs requires commuting flexibility.

    5/10

Listing information

Agent
Sherry FitzGerald Bray
Phone
01 286 6630
Published on HouseDelve
5 October 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-C9A428HouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Report checks

Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.

Automated quality checks: Passed

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.