Kinlough House – a lifetime of memories!
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A few weeks ago my friend and I were driving around Sneem looking at property for sale and we came across a 1970′s style house up for sale near Bunnow Harbour. The house was called Kinlough House.
We decided to take a look around. The first thing that struck me was the fact that it had the 70′s written all over it … timber cladding, a 70′s style conservatory, a garden that oozed years of love and dedication, crazy paving, seating areas and a feature pond.
Looking in the windows it was obvious to see that the place had been cleared out. One particular room had personal possessions piled on a bed awaiting their new home/disposal.
We deduced there and then that the previous owner had probably died and that the executors of his/her will were disposing of the property.
Curiosity got the better of me so I did a little bit of research the first chance I got on Kinlough House.
I made an interesting discovery …. the house had been the summer residence of a Mr. Justice Dermot Kinlen, Inspector of Prisons. He had died on Wednesday the 18th of July 2007 in the very house we had looked at. It appears he had entertained a group of Chinese guests, had retired to his bed and had died in his sleep.
It turns out that Justice Kinlen championed the cause of prisoners while Inspector of Prisons.
His primary residence in Dublin, Wentworth, is still for sale with an asking price of seven million euro.
From the Irish Independent (Saturday 21st of July 2007):
The funeral of the Inspector of Prisons, former High Court judge Dermot Kinlen, is taking place today.
He died suddenly on Wednesday in Kerry at the age of 77.
Mr Justice Kinlen had a distinguished legal career as a barrister and a High Court judge.
As Inspector of Prisons, a post he took up in 2002, he worked tirelessly to highlight the poor conditions faced by prisoners both in Ireland and aboard.
Tributes have been pouring in from political leaders along with those who worked alongside him.
He is survived by his sister Aideen, brother Kevin, sister-in-law Deirdre and nieces and nephews.
His funeral mass will be held at Donnybrook Church at 10am today with burial afterwards in Deans Grange cemetery.
Irish Penal Reform Trust obituary is here.
Chinese Ambassador extended his condolences.
It was nostalgic to walk around the residence of someone who had obviously lavished so much pride on it … his ‘hideaway from Dublin’.
It was a privilege to learn about this man and to honour his achievements on my blog.
I hope the person who purchases your beloved Kinlough will cherish it as much as you did.
It’s up for sale at a pre-recession price of €310k or thereabouts …. too rich for my blood I’m afraid.
Rest In Peace Justice Kinlen.
Lovely tribute to the man, Paddy
I’m like you. I love peeping into houses for sale when on holiday and imagining what the place was like in it’s hey day.
I know that Sneem is a place of annual retreat for doctors, judges etc. down from the ‘big smoke’. What a pity such a lovely little house is sitting empty all this time.
Did you notice the beautiful stone wall which fronts the property. This wall was built by my late father in law with the help of the local O’Neill brothers, Dan and Maurice, and Johnny Casey and is testiment to the fact the Dermot appreciated the talents of local tradesmen and used their services where possible.
Sneem has been host to many dignatories over the years and Dermot certainly used his considerable connections to promote the area. There are a number of monuments dotted throughout the village which are there as a direct or indirect result of Dermot’s involvement. For example the Chinese Panda, The Silver Tree which was presented by Israeli President Chaim Hertzog, the O’Dalaigh monument, and Issis, the Egyptian Goddess.
Although a member of the ‘lofty circle’, Dermot’s ability to show genuine interest in the ordinary souls living around Sneem, has won him many admirers.
Sadly missed.
Steph ~ I was on a mission to see if I could find that ‘retirement hideaway. I must admit to being slightly uncomfortable at getting a glimpse into the lives of other people. The first emotion it brings out in me is sadness. The next reaction/emotion is to mark their achievements in some way. This blog is one way of preserving a person’s memory/achievements.
Kevin ~ The wall was one of the features that struck me about Kinlough House. I do admire people who can produce such work with their hands. I built my own boundary wall with an elderly man from the locality and it was the best summer I had ever spent and it was great to see a final product.
The wall at Kinlough House is indeed a great testimony to your late father in law and the O’Neills who bulit it. I’m also glad to hear that Dermot Kinlen was as I envisioned him … a man, despite his standing and wealth had the common touch.
My best to all associated with Kinlough House.
I’ve been to see the house too. I noticed that in the conservatory there is a photo taken at a dinner party in that same room. Bertie can be seen smiling away.
I reckon that in these markets the sellers will have to be realistic. Why not just chance your arm and make an offer for the house even if it is below the asking price.
It’s not a house I’m interested in to be honest. It’s not as private as I’d like it to be and secondly I’d prefer an older property.