When the present owner's father bought number 55 Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, in 1944 he paid exactly £1,700.2s.6d. for it. Now on the market for the first time since then it will be interesting to see what this early Victorian two-storey over garden-level house, with its three reception rooms and four bedrooms, makes this time out.

Gunne, which is handling the private treaty sale, is guiding in excess of £600,000 (761.840). Also for sale, either separately or as part of a deal along with the house, is a site at the end of the rear garden with full planning permission for a detached mews. This has a guide price of £300,000 (381,000).

The house needs modernising but comes with many of its 1840y.

Divided by double doors, these rooms have a pair of very fine, white marble fireplaces with tiled insets. There are preservation orders on both.

A sun-porch on the return needs work, as does the kitchen/breakfastroom which has wrought-iron steps leading down to the rear garden. The basement/garden-level area, which has a separate entrance from the front garden, is a self-contained living area. A good sized livingroom to the front has an original window on to the garden. Off this there is a kitchenette. A bedroom and bathroom are along a corridor to the rear of the house.

The other three bedrooms are on the first floor. The main bedroom faces the front and has a slate fireplace. Both of the other bedrooms have slate fireplaces and one has built-in wardrobes. A few steps up, on another return, is the family bathroom. There is an outside lavatory and patio area close to the house. The rear garden, which is 172 ft long, has a pair of concrete block garages.