Home of former leader W T Cosgrave for sale

The former home of the late W T Cosgrave, leader of the government throughout the 1920s and founder of the Fine Gael political dynasty, is expected to make over £1.5 million at a Lisney auction on October 19th. The large five-bedroom Victorian house sits on over two acres at Scholarstown Road, Dublin 16.

Ros Mor, which was partially burned down during the Civil War and rebuilt by the Cosgraves, should appeal to those seeking a family house with plenty of privacy and some development potential. Part of the 2.35 acre grounds run alongside the main road and are screened completely from the house.

It may offer scope for a small scheme of houses or apartments, subject to the necessary planning permission. The grounds also include a big stable block with over 2,200 sq ft of usable buildings suitable for conversion to guest accommodation or offices, again subject to planning permission.

Ros Mor was home to W T Cosgrave in the 1920s when the house was named Beechpark.

Later, the Cosgraves built a rather ugly bungalow on part of the grounds which the family still owns. This is very visible from the road, with the old house partially hidden from view.

Ros Mor is set at the end of a driveway and has its own two-bedroom gate lodge, though this is subject to a long-term caretaker's lease.

The driveway ends in a gravel sweep in front of the house with parking for several cars.

The front door opens into a porch with a mosaic-tiled floor and mahogany doors leading into the main hall. It's an impressive if sombre hallway with its polished parquet floor and solid mahogany staircase rising to the upper floors.

The two principal reception rooms lead off on either side and both are very large rooms with ornately plastered ceilings and fine Georgian fireplaces taken from an earlier house. Off the rear hall is a family room and the kitchen, which leads on to a long conservatory-style diningroom with access to the garden.

Upstairs, the first of the bedrooms is off a wide landing on the return, where there is also a bathroom and a separate shower room. On the top landing, double doors with stained glass insets lead into a small study which may once have been an oratory.

There are four bedrooms on this floor, all big, high-ceilinged rooms with tall windows overlooking the grounds. The grounds must once have been a walled garden, and a mellow redbrick wall runs down one side of the property.

Most of the gardens are in lawn and shrubberies, with a hard tennis court and orchard.

Ros Mor has been well cared for over the years, but it could now do with some redecoration. Though not in the most fashionable neighbourhood, the property seems good value, by comparison with what's available at a similar price.