Theatre family's house puts on quite a performance

DUBLIN 6 €2M: This well-decorated, elegant Edwardian house manages to combine generous proportions with a cosy feel, writes …

DUBLIN 6 €2M:This well-decorated, elegant Edwardian house manages to combine generous proportions with a cosy feel, writes EDEL MORGAN

THE WORDS “elegant proportions” can be over-used in property brochures when describing period houses but in the case of 25 Orwell Park in Rathgar, Dublin 6 – the six-bed house being sold by Gate artistic director Michael Colgan and his ex-wife, actor Susan FitzGerald – it isn’t an exaggeration.

Agent Sherry FitzGerald is seeking €2 million for the double-fronted Edwardian house which has the best that era had to offer in terms of high ceilings, enormous sash windows and fine reception rooms.

Somehow, despite all this magnificence, the 292sq m (3,144sq ft) house also manages to be a homely, inviting family space, that’s tastefully decorated, without being overdone.

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The hub of the house is the kitchen which has a specially made reclaimed pine kitchen which could belong to a country house.

This is one of the few rooms in the house that that the family, who have lived here for 28 years, have had reconfigured to make the most of the natural light. With five sash windows it bathes in light and overlooks the rear garden.

Off the kitchen is a family room with a cork tiled floor and antique pine mantelpiece that’s got the same relaxed feel to it.

The more formal rooms off the main entrance hall include a front drawingroom, a lively alluring space painted in a deep, vivid green with coving, a white marble fireplace and a built-in cream bookcase.

Original double folding doors connect with the library which has a matching fireplace and built-in shelves and where the same green suddenly appears tranquil and soothing.

On the other side of the hall there’s a large diningroom, with a bay window and the original Edwardian fireplace.

Upstairs, there are six bedrooms: the three largest are off the wide main landing. The main bedroom has a bay window and folding doors to an opulent en suite bathroom-cum-dressingroom with dual sinks, that was once a separate bedroom .

Also on the upper level is a main bathroom and separate wood-panelled toilet, and three further bedrooms, two of which are at attic level.

The rear garden is a good size and contains flowers, plants, shrubs and mature trees.

A fairly new addition is the south-west facing flagstone patio to the side which is much used by the family.

25 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin 6

Double-fronted 292sq m (3,144sq ft) Edwardian house being sold by the Gate theatre’s artistic director Michael Colgan and his ex-wife actor Susan FitzGerald

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald