42 Templeroan Avenue
Knocklyon
Description: Four-bedroom house with magnificent gardens
Agent: Owen O'Reilly
Mercedes Gallagher came to Ireland from Spain more than 40 years ago to work as an au-pair, lost her heart to a Scotsman and has made Ireland her home ever since. The Gallaghers purchased No 42 Templeroan Road almost 20 years ago. They are now downsizing due to an empty nest and a desire to spend more time in Spain and have placed their home on the market through estate agent Owen O'Reilly with an asking price of €500,000.
The Gallaghers’ home is in pristine condition and includes an attic conversion which gives the house a fourth bedroom bringing its total floor area to 149sq m (1,604sq ft). They also installed solid oak flooring throughout the ground floor which has withstood the test of time and family life.
To the front of the property are two reception rooms at each side of the hall and behind is a large open- plan kitchen-cum-dining area. Upstairs are four bedrooms, the master bedroom has an ensuite. The fourth bedroom is in an attic conversion, perfect for a teenager in need of their own space.
The real selling point of No 42, however, is the garden. While the initial hard landscaping was installed by Rathgar-based horticulturist Barry Cotter, Gallagher has spent the past 17 years creating a magical space where she spends each weekend pottering about with plants, growing everything from seed, which given the results is quite miraculous for someone with no formal training in horticulture.
The garden is full of meandering herbaceous borders laden with perennials that give year-round colour. At the moment, the garden is awash with purples and pinks, with delicate Aquilegia-like tiny ballerinas swaying to gentle breezes interspersed with Alliums just about to burst into bloom.
The fig, cherry and plum trees have tiny fruit buds which should give the new owners an abundance of autumn fruit.
To the rear of the garden is a Gabriel Ash cedar green house where the Gallaghers enjoy a tipple in the evening sun after tending to the tomatoes, leeks, lettuces and strawberries. The 125ft long oasis, planted with care and attention, is a real highlight of this fine suburban home.
