£1.4m on Ceanchor

Carrigoona, Ceanchor Road, Baily, Dublin 13: 1930s four-bed on two-thirds of an acre on seaward side of Howth will need refurbishing - but it has outstanding gardens that flourish in the mild Howth climate. The 2,300 sq ft house is to be sold at auction

Ceanchor Road, the top residential road on the Howth Peninsula, has individually styled houses on large plots, positioned on the slopes of a hillside, enjoying uninterrupted views across Dublin Bay to the Wicklow mountains.

Carrigoona, a detached four-bedroom house on twothirds of an acre on Ceanchor Road, is to be auctioned on 21st March by Lisney. The pre-auction guide of £1.4 million (#1.78m) reflects the exclusivity of this road and the magnificent views from almost every room. Being on the seaward side, the house's location is even more desirable.

Despite the million-plus price tag, a new owner will definitely spend money on Carrigoona, replacing oldfashioned metal windows, installing a more modern kitchen and redecorating.

The house was built in 1937 and the present owner has lived here for over 30 years. Fine polished oak floors and architraves and solid teak doors typical of the period are a notable feature throughout.

All the main reception rooms open on to delightful gardens created by the owner. Here and there, artistic touches such as a pretty round stained glass front porthole and the tall curved staircase window create an individual look. Ground floor accommodation in the 2,300 sq ft house is substantial, thanks to a long billiards room added on to the side of the house. This is now the main drawingroom, with a marble fireplace and French doors to the garden.

The family room off the entrance hall has a wonderful curved 1930s tiled fireplace and double doors out to a sunroom. Next door, the formal diningroom opens on to a verandah off the sunroom. A tiny television room has the best sea views in the house.

The kitchen, while serviceable, will definitely be given a modern refit, which could incorporate the adjoining pantry and enclosed outside yard. This houses a washroom, fuel store and outside toilet. There is also a double garage fitted with an inspection pit for car servicing.

Three of the four bedrooms upstairs - two doubles and two singles - face south. Off the main bedroom is a large en suite bathroom with green sanitary ware. Even by Ceanchor Road standards, the gardens are outstanding. Sheltered on the landward side by tall spreading pines and flowering rhododendrons and camellias, the view of the sea from the lawn is almost completely uninterrupted. Herbaceous borders and climbers on the verandah are already showing growth and a winding path leads to a secluded summerhouse where a grapevine flourishes.