Sarah Jessica Parker and her hubby Matthew Broderick are always on the Emerald Isle, and Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are currently spending some time here, but did you know that the late and great Gene Wilder also took up residence in Ireland many moons ago?
Yes, while the famed actor was filming the rom-com "Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin" in The Bronx, he was staying in the scenic coastal town of Greystones.
Gardens at Knockbawn, Portland Road, The Burnaby, Greystones. Pic: Sherry Fitzgerald.
Per the Independent, Gene knocked on the door of Knockbawn in the affluent Burnaby estate and asked its residents, the O'Farrell Family, if he could rent their home for six months.
The actor and Mr and Mrs O'Farrell hashed out the details over dinner at the Gresham Hotel, and the family subsequently relocated to another property they owned in Bray for the duration of his stay.
Reception room, Knockbawn, Portland Road, The Burnaby, Greystones. Pic: Sherry Fitzgerald.
The property, rich in A-lister history is now on the market for €2.1million.
Knockbawn boasts a little under 3,360 sq ft of living accommodation, including an almost 520 sq ft self-contained apartment.
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The Edwardian home, which dates back to 1900, has high ceilings throughout and is complete with decorative plasterwork in the main reception areas.
It is located at the corner of Portland Road and Somerby Road and is perfectly secluded for peace and serenity within its sprawling gardens.
Reception room, Knockbawn, Portland Road, The Burnaby, Greystones. Pic: Sherry Fitzgerald.
The affluent Burnaby estate is the first planned housing estate in Ireland, established by Elizabeth Hawkins Whitshed who sweetly named it after her husband Colonel Frederick Burnaby who was killed during the Battle of Abu Klea in 1885.
Knockbawn's dual-level landing leads to four double bedrooms, the main of which has its own dressing room and en suite.
The upstairs accommodation is complete with a family bathroom.
Bedroom, Gardens at Knockbawn, Portland Road, The Burnaby, Greystones. Pic: Sherry Fitzgerald.
As it was built in the Edwardian era, Knockbawn is flooded with natural lighting and has been built to the perfect proportions and craftsmanship.
It's approached by a gravel driveway that has room for several parked cars and has separate vehicular and pedestrian gates leading to the back garden and guest apartment.
Guest apartment, Knockbawn, Portland Road, The Burnaby, Greystones. Pic: Sherry Fitzgerald.
It seems that the only thing Gene Wilder was missing during his stay at Knockbawn was a chocolate river and some Oompa Loompas.
He would've felt right at home then!
* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.
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