Dublin 4: €6mAn Edwardian redbrick at the Donnybrook end of Herbert Park is likely to be one of the most sought-after houses of the season, writes Bernice Harrison
Number 13 Herbert Park is likely to be a most sought after family home when it comes up for auction on March 28th. Sherry Fitz-Gerald's AMV of €6 million is a reflection of the location, the size and style of the semi-detached house as well the hefty price tags fetched by other redbrick houses on what is one of the most desirable roads in Dublin 4.
The current owners who have lived here while their family were growing up are trading down and no wonder: this semi-detached house has 325sq m (3,500sq ft) of space, so it is very large with four bedrooms as well as good, flexible living spaces.
A charming old-fashioned timber porch frames the entrance which opens into a most attractive inner hall. It is particularly welcoming in that it has a working cast-iron fireplace.
Off this hall is a large livingroom to the front which opens into a formal diningroom at the back - both rooms are spacious and well-proportioned.
The family-sized eat-in kitchen is at the back of the house - it is in a smart country style with an Aga and units that are slightly dated but not beyond minor updating.
This opens first into a living area and then out to an attractive and well-designed timber conservatory that runs the width of the back of the house.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms - there would originally have been five but the main bedroom, with its bay window, complete with window seat, was enlarged to incorporate a dressingroom as well as a good en suite.
A second bedroom has an en suite - a dated one with brown fittings - and there are two further bedrooms.
Either of these would be snapped up by any teenager - one is in the original attic room which has an en suite while the other bedroom has been extended upwards by the installation of a spiral staircase leading up to a converted area in the attic. There's also a family bathroom off what is a large, bright landing.
New owners will almost certainly update the decoration throughout.
The back garden was landscaped some years ago by Verney Taylor and it incorporates a large patio directly outside the conservatory. It is well stocked, mature and private, probably more of an adult garden than the grassy ones favoured by children.
There is off-street parking to the front and a garage.
The house is at the Donnybrook end of the road.