Patrick Plunkett, who built many of the imposing houses on Palmerston Road in Dublin 6, built number 14 for himself. He died in 1918 at the age of 101, a ripe old age which augurs well for the bidders for this mid-Victorian redbrick which has recently been extensively refurbished.
The house is to be auctioned on September 26th by Sherry FitzGerald, which is guiding £1.65 million (€2.10 m.)
Accommodation in this five-bedroom house is over three floors with a side return over four levels.
Traditional features have been maintained throughout, complemented by modern techno-wizardry such as the sound system on three levels and the sophisticated alarm system.
Granite steps lead to the front door and into the entrance hall which has intricate ceiling plasterwork and a ceiling rose, as well as a feature arch, and cast-iron radiator.
Off the hall is the drawingroom, featuring a white marble fireplace as well as twin sash windows to the front and new timber interconnecting doors leading to the diningroom.
Both rooms have extensive ceiling plasterwork. The diningroom has oak-finish flooring while the drawingroom is carpeted.
On the return is a double bedroom which could also be used as a study. It has dual aspect sash windows overlooking the front and back gardens and recessed downlighting.
The main bathroom is on the first floor return. It is a rather grand affair with a natural limestone floor and a three-seater Jacuzzi, along with a walk-in power shower, as well as a free-standing pot belly stove.
The landing has a stained glass window overlooking the garden.
The main bedroom is to the front upstairs. It has an open fireplace with slate hearth. Also on this level are two further double bedrooms, and up a short staircase is a shower room and a fifth bedroom.
However, the house makes its greatest impact at garden level, which can be accessed from either the main floor or from an outside passage.
The lower entrance hall has oak flooring with mosaic wall tiling and a cloakroom and shoe cupboard. Off the hall, and under the front steps, is a bathroom with a sunken bath, stone flooring and a recess for shelving.
The kitchen has been designed with exposed brickwork and fitted with antique-style pine units with solid oak worktops and a gas-fired Aga. An island unit has three sinks with cold, hot and filtered water supplies, and a waste disposal unit.
The oak flooring extends into the breakfastroom, which has an original fireplace and custom-built dresser. The laundry room and utility area is just off the breakfastroom.
A large room overlooks the rear garden, with exposed brickwork, teak sash windows, and oak flooring.
Double French doors lead out to a sandstone patio area and on into the west-facing newly-landscaped 93 ft-long garden.
The railed garden to the front has electronic gates and a security intercom and lantern-style lighting. The driveway is gravelled with off-street parking.
Such is its finish, the house might appeal to an investor seeking a property to rent to corporate clients. If there is a fault, it is that it is so highly-polished that it lacks that "lived-in" feeling which adds character to period homes.
