Revamped tramway cottage in Blackrock

The vendors bought 1 Newton Villas from the family of the original owners 10 years ago. A peaceful cul-de-sac close to Blackrock village, what were then tramway cottages were built for tram workers by the Dublin United Tramway Company circa 1909.

The original cottage had two bedrooms and the original occupants were tramway inspector Thomas Neilan, his wife Sarah and their nine children.

The family was most likely from the country since it was tramway company policy to recruit the “more honourable, stronger and less likely to join a union countryman.”

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In 1911, according to the census for that year, Thomas Neilan was 42, Sarah Neilan 40, their eldest child, Bridget 22 and youngest, Joseph, six.

Today’s cottage, courtesy of a rear extension which added a kitchen/diningroom and bedroom, is considerably larger than the 1909 version. It has 71sq m (764sq ft) of floor space, three bedrooms, sittingroom, family bathroom and patio- decking to the side and rear. Agent Downey Property is asking €440,000 for the private treaty sale.

The squarish entrance lobby has two doors leading to the inner house and another fronting a large and useful storage area with shelving. The livingroom is at the centre of the house and has a semi-solid oak floor, sloped ceiling and double velux giving plenty light.

The kitchen/dining room has a robust, comfortable style with stone tiled floor, creamy fittings and glass-panelled door to the patio.

The family bathroom is in this extended part of the house also. A front-facing bedroom has an original cast-iron fireplace and large window in the original style.

Both other bedrooms are to the rear, with another cast-iron fireplace in one.

The narrow, patio-decking has built-in seating and access to a rear laneway, which is general to the terrace.