A six-bedroom period property on three-quarters of an acre in Killiney carries a guide price of £1.5 million-plus prior to auction through Sherry FitzGerald on June 1st. Donard, on Kilmore Avenue, is a fine example of the solid architecture favoured in the 1890s. One of a pair of semi-detached houses, it is situated on a rustic lane connecting Station Road with Killiney Hill Road. So, although only a 10-minute walk from the DART and the beach, it is secluded from the clamour of summer day trippers.

At 2,800 sq ft, this well-proportioned house would make a great family home, as many of its rooms could be adapted to various purposes.

An attractive quarry-tiled, porch leads to a parquet-floored hall, opening into the reception rooms.

In the drawingroom, a deep bay window takes advantage of the south-easterly aspect. Here and in the diningroom, there are dado rails and carved wood fire surrounds.

A feature of the house is the warren of service and storage areas, including a butler's pantry off the diningroom, a cloakroom and lavatory, and a terrazzo-floored larder beside the kitchen.

Through the kitchen lies a scullery with a brick arch and original sink. New owners might knock these into one large kitchen/family room. The bedrooms are on two floors, and, unusually in a house of this kind, they are all ample well-lit rooms.

Those at the front of the house gain wonderful views across Killiney Bay, and the main bedroom, mirroring the drawingroom, has a bay window and en suite bathroom with a tiny balcony.

There is also a second large bathroom and separate lavatory on this floor. Windows on the returns light the staircase which climbs into the roof, so that rooms on this floor feature sloped ceilings.

Another big bedroom here has a balcony, suitable for sitting out on to get the best of the view. The second large room was used as a designer's studio, but could equally serve as a games room or bedroom. Below, the garden wraps around three sides of the house.

In the yard at the rear of the house is a double garage with wooden ceiling and loft, suitable for conversion to guest quarters, work or recreation space, subject to the necessary planning permission.