Ossory Lodge has without doubt some of the most spectacular east coast views to be had of Dublin Bay and beyond. Few houses have windows large enough, or positioned well enough, to see at a glance the entire of Scotsman's Bay, Sandycove Harbour, Dún Laoghaire's east pier, the Poolbeg chimneys, across the bay to Howth and a distant, ferry-dotted horizon.
At the corner of Ballygihen Avenue and the coast road, Ossory Lodge is a gracious, mid-19th century house that has served time as an embassy for Chile, and later Morocco; was part of developer Robin Power's Sandycove property portfolio and, just last June, was bought by aviation financier Doug Brennan for €2.9 million. Back on the market through agent Lisney, the asking price this time is €3 million.
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The five period houses that make up a terrace at this end of Ballygihen Avenue date from the 1840s. Double-fronted, Ossory Lodge has two high-ceilinged, light-flooded storeys over garden level and a floor area of 395sq m (4,250sq ft). There are five bedrooms, three bathrooms, four/five receptions (doors either side of the fireplace in the drawing room can be closed off to create two rooms), contemporary kitchen/breakfastroom, utility and large entrance and inner hallways.
A new coat of white paint throughout helps highlight finer original features. A deep plasterwork frieze in the drawingroom is both delicate and ornate, most rooms have picture rails, doors have glass panes (some coloured) and the many fireplaces are inevitably grand, marble affairs – some with splendidly ornate brass insets.
The beige stone-effect tiling on the entrance and inner hallways effectively emphasise size and height. But it is the windows that are most striking, some of them with 20 individual panes of glass, wide as they are long, all the better to take in those views.
The kitchen, to the rear at ground-floor level, is a nod to contemporary needs and style. In solid wood and hand painted a creamy colour by Dalkey Design, it too has multi-paned windows, along with double glass doors opening to an inner paved courtyard and, of course, fine views. The style is rustic, a centre island has a sink unit and wine rack, necessities of all kinds are integrated and there is a standalone stainless-steel cooker.
The reception halls on this level, inner and outer, are large living spaces in their own right. Reception rooms include a drawingroom with that ornate plaster frieze and doors either side of the chimney breast, diningroom and study with height, space, picture rails, original fireplaces, coving and ceiling roses.
The main and three other bedrooms, as well as a bathroom with old-style cistern and pull chain, are on the first floor. There is an Adam-style fireplace in the main bedroom, dual aspect sash windows and built-in wardrobes. An en suite shower room is elaborately fitted. The other bedrooms also have wardrobes.
The garden level, with a separate entrance, could be rented or used as a visitors’ suite. It has a bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a window on to the side garden – which is high hedged. The living room is open plan with painted, wood panelled walls and extensive cupboard storage. There is a further shower room and (small) kitchenette.
There is planning permission to extend the lawned, high-hedged side garden and gated off-street parking.
