The Brits are not the only ones looking for a gracious period residence in Dublin 4. They will now have to compete with the Peoples Republic of China, which is on the lookout for a new embassy residence. The Chinese already have a modest modern house on Ailesbury Road, but officials were spotted looking over 23 Ailesbury Road, a Victorian gem that goes to auction later this month. The British Foreign Office is also thought to have viewed the terraced three-storey house, which has a guide price of £1.5 million-plus.