Victorian residence once home of philanthropist lord mayor

'Then lo, and behold they blossom out as Adam Findlaters or Dan Tallons." The Dan Tallon Joyce was referring to in this excerpt from Ulysses, was the Rt Hon Daniel Tallon, a publican, and lord mayor of Dublin from 1898-1900.

Tallon’s philanthropic nature took him to Castletownbere in 1898, where on his instruction, the poverty-stricken locals were given employment in the construction of a road – Tallon Road – in which his name is immortalised.

His address, along with the Mansion House, was 136 Leinster Road in Rathmines – a burly, semi-detached Victorian residence standing at 288sq m.

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The current owners bought the property a century after Tallon, and have called this three-storey residence home for the last 19 years.

The handsome property enjoys a south-facing aspect, which floods light through the rooms.

The use of Victorian colours allows the period details to shine through – the bold claret ceiling in the front hallway emphasises the tiered ceiling, drawing the eye to a double layer of ornate coving.

Similarly, the claret is also used above and below the picture rails in the handsome reception rooms, echoing the original Victorian tiles in the fireplaces and the overlooking towering copper beech from next door.

Kitchen

The kitchen is on the return, and the current owners opened up what was previously three rooms to form a bright L- shaped kitchen/breakfast room. While in perfectly good condition, it is 19 years old and new owners may want give it a facelift.

Other houses along the road have moved the kitchen to garden level, which is also an option, and makes access easier for bringing in the shopping.

There are five spacious bedrooms set over three floors. What neighbours use as a master bedroom – on the top floor overlooking tree canopies on the street – is currently used as a piano nobile. It is a gracious room painted in viridian green and would make a peaceful space to retire to at night.

To the rear of the property is a cut stone coach-house. Currently used as storage, new owners have the option to convert it to an office, studio or mews, as neighbours have done, subject to planning.

The front garden has been given a recent facelift, with cobblestone paths, box hedging and silver birch.

Number 136, a handsome property with three reception rooms, would make a fine family home. Current owners are downsizing, and have placed their home on the market through DNG with an asking price of €1.6 million.