Rathgar/€2.9 millionRose Doyle visits a D6 six-bedroom house built in the 1880s with a number of original and expensive flourishes
Galwally, a detached six-bedroom house on a third of an acre at 69 Orwell Park in Rathgar, Dublin 6 is expected to fetch around €2.9 million at auction through joint agents Sherry FitzGerald and Ganly Walters on March 31st.
Back in the 1880s, the builder responsible for several houses on this leafy road decided to keep number 69 as his own, and added a number of original and expensive flourishes.
The result is a highly individual house - spread over some 297 sq m (3,200 sq ft) - with arched, bay windows echoed as a theme throughout and fine stained glass details. The main interconnecting drawing and dining rooms have bay windows at either end with coloured leaded glass making a decorative detail across the top or each window.
The special features are distinctly seen, too, in the entrance hallway where there is an arched alcove, a second arch leading to the rear part of the house and an internal, picture-style, leaded glass window.
A front sittingroom also has an arched bay window, as well as a picture rail.
Bookshelves look very much at home in an arched alcove. In this room too there is a white marble fireplace with delicate, gold-coloured inlay detail and brass canopy.
The fully-fitted kitchen, which has a wide window with leaded glass detail overlooking the garden, is divided from the breakfastroom area by a timber topped counter. The extensive floor and wall units are cream coloured. There are steps down to a pantry, utility room and side entrance door. A guest toilet has a wash hand basin and toilet.
The upstairs ceilings are notably high, creating a great sense of space. Off the first, return landing, which has an arched wall alcove, there is a small bedroom and family bathroom with a deep bath and ornate window. In the main, en suite bedroom, off the first floor landing along with three of the other bedrooms, there is a another arched, wall alcove. Internal steps lead from the room to the large en suite which has a pair of baths positioned side-by-side - these were known as conversation baths when installed in the 1970s.
Another bedroom on this landing has a picture rail and windows to the side and rear, while a fourth has a bay window and fitted wardrobes. The second return has three, low windows all with leaded glass. In the attic-style bedroom there's a built-in wardrobe and vanity unit.
A sweeping lawn with high evergreens extends the mood of the house to the outdoors. Bedding is dotted with spring flowers. A pathway winds around the house and there is large garage. The gravelled front garden has parking for at least four cars.
