Four Winds lies near the water on the northern edge of Dublin Bay. Behind, the Hill of Howth rises above the sea – people have lived here for 4500 years, leaving a dolmen, a promontory fort and Celtic legends. In front, the shallow expanse of Dublin Bay stretches for 10km towards the Wicklow Mountains on the horizon.

The site – facing south across the bay – is exposed to the prevailing south-westerly winds which sweep across the expanse, throwing sand and salt-water at the house year-round, but particularly in late autumn and early winter. The tempestuous nature of the locality is emphasised by the nearby built fabric – the 800 year-old ruinous “Mariners Church” (where unidentified bodies of shipwrecked sailors were buried), the 1973 St. Fintan’s Church (where the façade is finished with ribbed concrete, inspired by sailor’s ropes) and the 1804 Martello Tower (built to keep watch over the coastline for invading ships from Napoleon’s army – which never came).

The language of the architecture acts as a reassuring bulwark against the shifting nature of the environment in which it sits – buttressing the original façade of the house which has been in our clients family for 3 generations, and psychologically creating a sense of security and shelter – a haven from where sunsets and squalls can be viewed as an ever-changing backdrop to the lives of our clients.

Book-in only.

The project is the refurbishment and extension of a pre-existing dwelling – the gardens are a mix of surfaces – pebble, concrete and soft landscaping so while navigable, may be challenging for wheelchair users.

Wheelchair accessible
Accessible Toilets