Leaving Greystones’ Home Alone House

The McCarters SAT10DEC22

hen Ross and Jennifer McCarter moved into their new home on Church Road back in 1980, they couldn’t quite believe their luck.

Originally built in the mid-1860s, Lansdowne is, like pretty much every other house on Church Road, part of Greystones’ history.

Just as importantly, it’s a beauty, the original outbuildings – such as the stables and coach house, with the loft overhead – all still there. And being right in the heart of the town, five minutes walk from just about everywhere that’s somewhere in this town, it proved to be the perfect place to raise a family.

All of which makes the fact that the couple are moving out in the new year all the more bittersweet.

“We moved from Rathdown, so it wasn’t like we were unaware of life in Greystones,” says Ross, “or just how beautiful these houses were on Church Road. It’s been a dream home, to be honest, and one we never imagined leaving…

“But now, with the kids, Emma, Murray and Andrew, all grown, it’s quite an empty house. So, we’re downsizing, to somewhere a little easier to manage…”

McCarters 2022

That their new home is up in Redford Park right beside their daughter Emma means that they’ll now have a short walk to grab that cup of sugar or hear the latest town gossip.

“It’s the end of an era for the family,” says Emma, “but the start of another that we’re all very excited about. It’ll be great for my kids too, to have their grandparents just a few doors away.”

New owners Ross & Jennifer 2023

It’s perhaps fitting that Ross and Jennifer are now home alone, given that this proud old house has become something of a Christmas favourite over the decades – thanks to the fact that Lansdowne is lit up like a Christmas tree every December.

“That’s definitely something I’m going to miss,” smiles Ross. “It’s something that we feel is such a tradition that we have to unleash those coloured bulbs each year, or we’d be in trouble. And we have to try and make it bigger and brighter every time…”

Heck, the McCarters should consider inserting a proviso into the deeds of Lansdowne – that the new owners will have to sparkle every Christmas too.

“It would be lovely to think the tradition will continue,” finishes Jennifer, “but, you know, we can always start a new one up in Redford…”