Video: Join Millionaires' Row... Abington mansion in Malahide on the market for €2.2m

Until then purchasers spending this sort of cash had pursued eminent old period piles, largely on the southside and mostly with grounds.

So despite the best marketing efforts of builders Parkway, headed by John McCabe Snr, many wondered whether the rich would really fork out large for the privilege of living alongside one another in a new estate - even if the houses were 4,000 sq ft plus and the gardens more than a half acre each.

Dubbed "Millionaires' Row," the scheme saw its showhouse purchased by Ronan Keating and then wife Yvonne. They were soon followed by Westlife's Nicky Byrne with his wife Georgina Ahern and Ireland striker Robbie Keane and his wife Claudine. Another purchaser was former Anglo Irish boss David Drumm, now resident in the USA (builder McCabe was one of his infamous 'Maple 10' investors).

But not only did Millionaires' Row survive, but it has thrived. Even at the worst ebb of the crash in 2010, the price register shows that houses here did not fall below €1.36m. McCabe had cottoned on to the fact that younger financiers, techies and foreign execs didn't want dusty halls of high pedigree, Adam chimney pieces and stucco ceilings. They wanted home cinemas, modern gyms, double garages and underfloor heating.

Remarkable too is that the Abington estate still looks almost brand new today. The common grounds are immaculately landscaped, the private gardens toparied with precision, while unfussy house designs have stood the test of time.

Late last year, the Keatings (splitting up) had no problems offloading their property here for €2.45m.

Now No.42, has come to market for the first time since its purchase from new. The price is €2.2m. The owners (an Irish business man and his wife) have pretty much raised their family there in the intervening period and are seeking to move closer to the village.

Inside is wholly modern, understated and unapologetically luxurious, with the best of flooring and fittings installed throughout. There are wide beam solid oak floors, an elegant teak carved spiral staircase running up and down through the hall and lots of cream marble tiles.

The bathrooms are Villeroy and Boch, the kitchen is Gaggenau at its most innovative.

The interior design coordinates strongly over all of its floors in a cool, contemporary but also homely and comfortable look.

As a big family home, none of the 5,290 sq ft of accommodation is actually wasted. It's got seven bedrooms between the garden level and the top floor (with four) and these are particularly generous with ensuites and dressing rooms. As a home for those with a clutch of early to mid teenagers, it's perfect. Everyone gets a super room and there are plenty of offside gathering and social areas inside and out.

There's a raised sun deck outside that will accommodate 30 guests standing without an issue. A big drawing room leads into a sun trap conservatory and an extension provides a family tv room with "party pit" style seating in front of a 54in screen - right off the family kitchen and a formal dining area.

Elsewhere on this floor is a luxurious sound-proofed home office suite the size of two regular reception rooms. Downstairs there's a second office, a suite of useful utility rooms and the teenager's well-equipped games room/den. There's underfloor heating and the gardens are just over half an acre.

American or European executives on 'Ireland duty' and with family in tow will love it.

42 Abington Malahide, Co Dublin

Asking price: €2.2m

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald Blanc Tel: (01) 8454500