One of the most unusual properties to come to the market this week is a Regency dower house in Raheny, Dublin 5. Walmer, on Station Road, was built in 1825 for a retiring dowager of nearby Belmont House, which survives today as the Capuchin Friary. In those days, it was usual for the mother of a landowner to move to a smaller house to allow his wife to take her place at the head of the household. Dower houses were like grand country houses in miniature, a very far cry from today's "granny flat". Walmer, a villa-style house, has 4,500 sq ft of living space and has a particularly fine colonnade of wrought-iron columns and arches to the front of the house. Inside, it has 14 rooms, including an oval drawingroom. It was a private house until the early 1990s when it was converted to a holistic healing centre. Its 0.7-acre grounds are mostly given over to car-parking. Inside, it is in good order although the fireplaces have been removed and the windows are all pvc replacements. Walmer will be auctioned by Jackson-Stops McCabe on October 28th, when it is expected to make over £700,000.