Dartmouth Square house is a charmer

DUBLIN 6: €1.65m:An extended family home on a controversial city square has plenty of original 19th century features

WITH ONE of Dublin’s loveliest Victorian squares to the front and the Grand Canal just a short walk from its rear garden, 22 Dartmouth Square, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 has a lot going for it by way of location.

The square, controversially bought by businessman Noel O’Gara in 2005, was closed, then re-opened last September following a deal with residents.

Dublin City Council is likely to take over the square following a High Court action, and it’s currently open to the public.

Number 22 still has a great deal of its 19th century charm, from a front door in a deep, sheltering porch to original features such as panelled doors, sash windows, decorative plasterwork and a trio of marble fireplaces with lovely, and very Victorian, tiled insets all conscientiously cared for and intact.

A lived-in, comfortable home, it comes on the market after generations of the same family ownership going back to the 1930s.

High ceilings and long, sash windows add to the feeling of space in the 227sq m (2,445sq ft) floor area and in the three/four bedrooms, traditional interconnecting reception rooms, small study and kitchen with adjoining dining room.

Douglas Newman Good is looking after the private treaty sale and the asking price is €1.65 million.

The front-facing, ground floor reception room makes the most of its position with a pair of sash windows giving wide views of the square.

The marble fireplace (which has an open fire) differs from its twin in the adjoining rear room in that its inset tiles have an ornately lovely floral design. There are double interconnecting doors between these rooms and a small study off the inner room is part of a rear extension.

The main family areas are at garden level. A diningroom overlooks the well-planted front garden and has another ornate, marble fireplace.

Double glass doors lead to a bright, good-sized kitchen with an Aga, range of wooden units and sizeable storage under a centre island with worktop.

The utility room is surprisingly big and filled with light from a glass door to the garden while behind it, a sewing room with garden views could make a guest bedroom.

The bedrooms are off the first floor landing, an area given light by a decorative window on the half-landing.

Two of the bedrooms overlook the square, the main, en suite, bedroom is to the rear and the small, family bathroom is eyrie-like at the top of a short fight of stairs from the main landing.

The back garden is nearly 42ft long and has granite walls.

22 Dartmouth Square, Ranelagh, Dublin 6

€1.65m for comfortable family home on Victorian square with lots of period features

Agent:Douglas Newman Good