A 16,000-square-foot Georgian mansion just hit the market in McLean

Read article : A 16,000-square-foot Georgian mansion just hit the market in McLean

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If you've ever visited Ireland, you probably fell in love with a Georgian mansion (or two) and had dreams of moving into one of those gorgeous stone castles and slaying dragons. And then reality sets in and you realize how impractical it would be to flee the country and live forever as an Irish prince(ss) in a castle. Well, my fairy tale dreamers, today is your lucky day because a gorgeous new property has just come on the market in McLean that could make all your dreams come true -- The Dunluce estate is a 16,000 square foot, 7-bedroom/10-bath property inspired by the castles of Ireland.

The custom four-story house, built in 2002, is currently owned by entrepreneurs Jack and Jackie McDonnell, who have been longtime supporters of The Ireland Fund; in 2006 Jack was presented with the organization’s Irish Peace and Culture Award. The house is sited on 5.15 acres of beautiful wooded land, and has immaculate landscaping done by Charles Owen of Fine Landscapes. Dunluce is filled with handcrafted elements, such as the handmade plaster medallions in the living room, dining room and library ceilings that are reproductions of those found in Georgian manors in Ireland and the hand-painted wallpaper covering the dining room walls. The coffered ceiling in the great room features symbols from the Book of Kells, which Trinity College Dublin calls Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure.

Yet, despite the old world grandeur and nod to European heritage, Dunluce does not lack any modern amenities. All seven bedrooms have their own full bathroom and bountiful closet space, but the second floor master suite is really over the top, with its own fireplace, lighted tray ceiling, fabric wall coverings, sitting room, walk-in closet/dressing room, deep soaking tub, two vanities and dual sinks. From the elevator serving all four stories to the theater, rec room with a fireplace, and billiard room with wired-in speakers and hand-painted murals of Irish castles, the estate is ready-made for entertaining! So get to buying friends, and invite me over please!

HOUSE SPECS:

• Neighborhood: McLean
• Bedrooms: 7
• Bathrooms: 8 full, 2 half
• Size: 16,000 square feet
• Acreage: 5.15 acres
• Price: $7,100,000
• Extra Goodies: An elevator serving all four floors; two-story foyer with walnut paneling and molding and hand-painted gold leaf accents; marble floors with a harp inlay; seven fireplaces; theater; billiard room; hand-painted murals

In case you were one of the few folks who didn't hop into the photo gallery straight away, scroll back to the top and take a tour through this stunning home! For more information, please see the full listing here.