Little and large: Two redbricks a stone’s throw from Herbert park

2 Auburn Avenue, Donnybrook

When they were built in 1901, the terraced houses on the south side of Auburn Avenue in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, overlooked an area of marshy ground known as the Forty Acres. Part of this marsh evolved into Herbert Park after the 1907 Irish International Exhibition in Ballsbridge, which could be seen from the back of the houses until another row of homes built in the early 20th century blocked the green views.

Number two is a fine bay-fronted Edwardian that would have once boasted views of the park and remains within two-minutes of this fine green space which is open late into the evening.

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The terrace of 84 Pembroke Cottages, Donnybrook

Featuring a panel of leaded glass designed by Aidan Page, the front door of the house opens into a hall of polished floorboards. The feature is one of many considered details in the property. The period features include fine coving, ceiling roses, original fireplaces in the interconnecting reception rooms and ceiling heights of about 12 feet. The house covers 212sq m (2282sq ft).

The house’s interconnecting reception rooms are stylishly presented spaces that have the same amber-coloured polished floorboards as the hall, and fire surrounds with tiled insets. The bay-windowed lounge overlooks the front, with fold- back doors opening through to the diningroom.

A set of French windows have replaced the original window in the diningroom and lead, via a set of steps, into a light-filled and open-plan kitchen-cum-family room designed by architect Damien Murtagh with works completed in 2009. Now-UK-based Murtagh's Longacres project in Portrane, north county Dublin, made headlines on design and architectural blogs when it was built and when it sold in 2014. His simple, unfussy but confident style is evident in this extension.

The kitchen has unhoned granite countertops and units by Siematic with Miele appliances that include an induction hob, a gas burner and a drop-down extractor.

Cloakroom, utility and storage cupboards are all hidden behind a wall of units. The house has an Ochsner air-to- water heat pump which warms the underfloor heating in the extension and radiators throughout the house. This helps to bring the period property up to a very reasonable C BER rating. Kingspan solar tubes on the roof help with the hot water costs and the property has zoned heating throughout.

The space overlooks a small terrace – all that is left of the south-east facing garden following the extension. There is pedestrian rear access and cedar-clad storage units. But if the outdoor space is small, the house is a two-minute walk to Herbert Park – less, probably, if you use the back door and walk down the lane.

The first of the property’s three bedrooms is on the first-floor return and has a large shower en suite. There are two more doubles on the first floor. The master enjoys the bay window to the front. To its rear is another fine double.

The owners also converted the attic using the services of Michael Hogan of Attic Conversion Services who installed a mahogany stairs and bannisters to mirror match the existing mahogany banisters.

In August 2014 number 25, a three-bed of 130sq m (1,399sq ft), sold for €775,000. Number 11, a four-bed, 158sq m (1,700sq ft), came to market in December of the same year asking €925,000. It sold in January of this year for €880,000.

Parking is on-street.

84 Pembroke Cottages, Donnybrook

Originally built for the workers of the Pembroke Estate, Pembroke Cottages, which date back to circa 1890, are situated behind Kiely’s pub in the heart of Donnybrook village. Off the busy thoroughfare there is very little through traffic. One of the entrances to Herbert Park is at the end of the street, so while the houses may be small there is plenty of green space within a stone’s throw of them.

The fact that the place is seriously quiet at weekends and the centrality of the location means houses change hands regularly with prices varying depending on the condition of the property.

At the moment there are several on the market. Number 87, a three-bedroom house, 57sq m (613sq ft)in size, is on the market through REA McGee asking €410,000. Number 108 is a 45sq m (484sq ft) two-bed asking €450,000 through Eoin O’Neill.

A high price point came mid- 2015 when number 64, an upgraded – and large when compared to its neighbours – two-bed, 84sq m (904sq ft) in size, sold for €550,000. In August, next door, number 65, a 45sq m two-bed, sold for €350,000 while in October number 104, a three-bed of 58sq m (624sq ft) and in need of modernisation, sold for €415,000.

In December 2014, number 7, a two-bed house, 43sq m (462sq ft) in size, sold for €499,500. Number 88, a two- bed in need of modernisation and 39sq m (419sq ft), sold in October 2014 for €335,00.

Number 84 is a two-bedroom property that is similar in size to most of the two-beds in the enclave.

Remodelled in 2000, the 39 sq m (419sq ft) property is asking €450,000 through agents Young.

The house is home to a family of four looking to trade up. It opens into the sittingroom, a bright room thanks to the addition of a rooflight and has an open fireplace. The bedrooms are off this space. The two daughters share the room to the front that will fit a queen-size bed and a wardrobe.

The master, to the rear, has direct access to the bathroom where the owners have cleverly managed to fit a full-size bath into a slim space.

The sittingroom leads through to the eat-in kitchen, which has granite countertops and overlooks a west-facing patio where you can watch the sun go down.

The outdoor space feels smaller than it actually is because it is also home to a fairly large, free-standing shed. A slimmer made-to-measure design might house bikes and buggies more efficiently.