Rathgar redbrick strikes a classical chord for €875,000

The second but last house in this typically Edwardian cul-de-sac, number 14 is quite different to its neighbour at the top of the road; it’s a pleasant surprise to see how dissimilar two apparently similar houses can be. Number 14, with a floor area of 180sq m (1,930sq ft) is sizeable, with a 10-year old, imaginative extension adding a sun room, kitchen/utility and studio/livingroom and, in between, an enchanting jasmin-scented enclosed rear courtyard.

Owners Marie and John Feeley bought number 14 some 25 years ago. "We paid IR£70,000. We loved the road then and still do; it's a very supportive community. It's a great house but we want to spend some time abroad," John says.

As one of Ireland’s leading leading classical guitarists, John’s needs have decided some of the design decisions in number 14. His large, bright studio/music room, across the courtyard from the house, has floor-to-ceiling glass doors/windows, three large Velux windows and a separate entrance from a private laneway. Part of the extension, it faces the sunroom and is flanked, to the side, by a glass-enclosed kitchen, separate kitchen/utility, shower room and a couple of store rooms.

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14 Wesley Road, Rathgar: kitchen

Before the extension, John worked in the third-floor bedroom, a lovely, wood-panelled, sound-proof space with a secondary window and cast-iron fireplace.

Period feel

Twenty-five years and a lot of work haven’t diminished the gentle, period feel of the rest of the house. The ground floor has heating under its all-over beech flooring, a dado rail runs along the stairs, and there is coving everywhere as well as cast-iron fireplaces, original floorboards and high ceilings. A signature front-bay window has wide seating and an original, dark marble fireplace with pink inset adds elegance to the main reception room.

In all, number 14 has three-four bedrooms (one en suite), interconnecting reception rooms, a sun room, kitchen/breakfastroom, kitchen/utility room, family bathroom and two shower rooms. The rear could be used as a self-contained apartment with kitchen, living/bedroom, shower room, storage and own entrance. Agent Lisney is seeking €875,000.

The main, en suite bedroom is to the front on the first floor and has white painted floorboards and the palest stone-coloured walls. A second, rear bedroom also has timber flooring and a family bathroom has a deep, Jacuzzi bath, Velux and overhead storage.