The Big Fella's spacious Rathgar safe-house

Dublin 6/€3.5m: A large redbrick, once a safe-house of Michael Collins, is beside the city and many fine schools, writes Fiona Tyrrell.

Once a safe-house for Michael Collins where arms smuggling was the topic of conversation at Sunday dinner, a large period redbrick in Rathgar is now more likely to appeal to buyers looking for convenient family living in a quiet suburb.

Lisney has set an advised minimum value (AMV) of €3.5 million in advance of auction on March 14th for 6 Bushy Park Road, Dublin 6.

The six-bedroom Victorian redbrick is one of the larger houses on the road with 335sq m (3,821sq ft) of living space. It is well set back off Bushy Park Road and located opposite Zion church.

The entrance to the house is attractive with stained glass panels either side of the front door leading to a hall with a high ceiling and an original arched window to the side.

Off it is a large drawingroom with a bay window, marble fireplace and original period details.

Large folding double doors lead to an attractive diningroom with a matching marble fireplace.

The hall floor return is home to a sunroom and to the first of six bedrooms, possibly the back bedroom in which Collins was accommodated.

A bright and pretty family room, breakfast room and morning room are found at garden level.

Aside from a modern kitchen with maple fitted units there is a utility room and understairs wine cellar. A bedroom and shower room are also found at garden level.

The landing of the first floor has an attractive stained glass window. This leads to the remaining four bedrooms, which all have original hearths.

A smart pale blue family bathroom has a cast-iron fireplace and freestanding bath with polished timber floors.

Within striking distance of Rathgar and Terenure villages, number 6 is in easy reach of lots of schools, including the High School, Stratford College, Terenure College, Our Lady's and Alexandra College.

A pretty 150ft back garden with fruit trees and flowerbeds runs down to the adjoining playing fields of the High School with views to the Dublin mountains.