Ardvarna is a very fine example of Arts and Crafts Architecture which still has almost all of it original design, interior and exterior features. The Tour guide will point out features which demonstrate Arts and Crafts ideals.
These ideals promoted the use of natural materials in a building and ensuring that the building fitted in with its surroundings also providing opportunities to appreciate the view.
To achieve this, a long southfacing balcony provided a panoramic view from Bray Head to The Three Rock Mountain There was also a desire to promote and enable Outdoor Living with French Doors opening on to a sheltered veranda and garden.
Writing about his design for a house in Devon called Cliff Towers, built in 1898, Charles Harrison Townsend describes many features which are present in Ardvarna, which was built in
1896.
Ardvarna was ‘an unknown house in Shankill ‘ until the architect’s drawings featured in the RIBA Calendar August 1991.
We the owners, who had bought a Doer Upper in 1974, were now were custodians of an Architectural Marvel!
I am very happy to have the opportunity to share our home with people interested in the Arts and Craft Movement as a tribute to my husband, who did most of the restoration, from replacing wall plates to fixing slates.

Meeting point: The space in front of the house.

Pre-Book Only

Non accessible for people with movement impairment.