City cottage with a big heart in secret D4 square for €1.25m

When 19 Vavasour Square last came to market, it was 2005. At that time it was the home of former Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan. The Ryans had added an extension and carried out extensive refurbishments during their tenure; so much so that the next owners needed to do little to the house, save paint it.

This means that it’s back on the market with many of its original features intact, and all that time has added is the sense of tranquillity you get from many years of happy family life.

Vavasour Square, built in the 1850s, is one of Dublin's secret spots. It is named after William Vavasour, who drained the salt flats of Irishtown, and is tucked away off Bath Avenue. "The house was built for Vavasour's son," the owner says. "And so it's the largest on the square."

At 178sq m (1,915sq ft), it’s utterly deceptive. At first you think you’re coming into a charming little cottage, but the house rambles through to a huge (7.7m/23ft long) kitchen and dining room, warmed by a lovely dark-green Aga. “This kitchen table has started businesses,” says the owner. “We’ve had the most fun in this room.”

There are four to five bedrooms, depending on whether you want a separate study or not. The main bedroom, with an en suite, is on the first floor, the rest at garden level. And the gardens themselves are wonderful: completely secluded, with grassy spaces to the side and rear. Add to that the square itself, which fills with children playing ball in safety, and it’s an ideal spot for a young family.

The owners, whose children are now grown, agree. “You can walk or cycle everywhere. There are three fantastic national schools in walking distance, so there’s no school run, and it’s 15 minutes’ walk to Grafton Street”. The Dart is right behind, Grand Canal Square is a hop along the canal, and lovers of sport can relish the proximity to the Aviva stadium.

“What will we miss most? The liveability of it, the neighbours, the garden, the living room. It’s perfect for weekends reading the papers by the fire. In summer we’re out in the garden.”

You can tell it’s a difficult place to leave. “There’s also a lot of storage,” she says. “So there’s lots you could do with it.” On the other hand, you mightn’t want to change a thing. It’s for sale for €1.25 million with Sherry FitzGerald.