Cottage revamp in Churchtown

When the owners of 15 Whitebarn bought this one-storey 1930s cottage, it comprised just four rooms and a bathroom and was approximately 100 sq m in size. In the 13 years since, they have done three renovation jobs, extending it outwards and upwards to become a roomy four-bedroom house of 203 sq m (2,185 sq ft).

Before moving in, they converted the attic and added a bedroom and bathroom to the double-fronted property.

Seven years ago a cousin and architect, Sarah Brophy, helped them turn it into an impressive family home. She extended the house out into the 100ft-long garden to create an open-plan kitchen and living area with a utility room and diningroom off the main space. The formal dining area became a playroom.

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Double doors lead outside to a good-sized south-facing back garden. Landscape gardener Emerson Devlin added beds and a raised sandstone patio, and planted specimen trees and ferns in low-maintenance gravel. He also created a decked play area for the children, with a slide and swings.

The cosy sittingroom to the front has an open fire with a stone surround and built-in cabinets. Originally this space was a bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom.

The house has four bedrooms, three of which are upstairs. The master enjoys views of the garden and has a dressingroom and en-suite bathroom. The fourth bedroom is downstairs at the front, next to a study that could become a fifth bedroom if needed.

There is off-street parking for several cars.

The property is for sale for €725,000 through agents Sherry FitzGerald and is situated off Upper Churchtown Road, close to the boundary of Castle golf course.