19th century five-bed may top £700,000

A five-bedroom 19th century house tucked away on a third of an acre in Clontarf, Dublin 3, could well make more than the £700,000 guide price being quoted by selling agent Billy O'Sullivan.

Woodstock, at 2 Blackheath Grove, Clontarf, Dublin 3, was in its time both the dower house and estate manager's home on the lands owned by the Black family of Blackheath House. It goes to auction on June 17th.

Thoughtfully worked on and added to over the years, Woodstock's style is that of a large, comfortably elegant cottage. The floor area covers some 3,200 sq ft, and includes a particularly attractive split-level drawing/diningroom. Four of the five bedrooms have dormer windows and sloping ceilings and a 1980s extension accommodates a family room, utility room and the main bedroom, which has an en suite.

Blackheath Grove is a secluded enclave of four houses on some two-and-half acres where a variety of old trees and flora flourish. A sweep of tarmacadamed avenue and well laid out front garden brings you to Woodstock's parking forecourt and large, south-facing, reception porch. There is room enough on the flagstone-floored porch for a table, several chairs and potted plants. Stairs lead from the timber-floored entrance hall to the rest of the house.

The drawingroom/dining room is to the right of the hall, with the dining area on the elevated part of the split level. Set into a window, it has marbled columns to either side. The drawingroom has a period fireplace in honey-coloured marble with cast-iron inset and slate hearth. Two sets of French doors lead to a patio and garden at the rear of the house and, together with two windows overlooking the front, give a light-filled, airy feeling to the entire space.

A door on the other side of the hall opens into a small study, where a tiled fireplace dates from the 1930s - a companion to doors throughout the house, which have the high, knob-like handles distinctive of that decade. Also off the entrance hall there is a guest cloakroom. A door next to this leads to the kitchen, where the colours are yellows and aquas and there is an Amtico floor. The work area has been sectioned off, lighting is recessed and the fittings, such as the De Dietrich grill and Electrolux hob, will remain. There is a separate, good-sized eating area.

An arch brings you through to the family room where a raised, gas-fired fireplace with mahogany canopy is a central feature. Built-in shelving and cupboards have pull-out tables for computers. Double glass doors lead to the rear patio and garden, and an inner door opens into a utility room, which has a large hot-press.

The stairs at the rear of the hall climb past two deep windows, then divide, leading to bedrooms on either side of the house. The two bedrooms to the left have timber floors, sloping ceilings and dormer windows. The larger of the two has a shower room en suite.

The good-sized main bedroom is reached via the righthand set of stairs. It has extensive, built-in wardrobes and cupboards, a bay window and a split-level en suite bathroom with a double bath and a pair of hand-wash basins. The remaining two bedrooms on this side of the house have timber floors and dormer windows.

A family bathroom, in which the fittings are a deep blue colour, has a bath, wash-hand basin and shower.

The sheltered rear patio is covered with terracotta tiles and has a built-in brick barbecue. A step leads up to a garden with shrubs, evergreens and hollies.