Victorian elegance in the heart of the new Googleland

DUBLIN 4: €1.15m: DEEP IN THE heart of Googleland, a Dublin 4 neighbourhood that is fast being discovered by families, is a …

DUBLIN 4: €1.15m:DEEP IN THE heart of Googleland, a Dublin 4 neighbourhood that is fast being discovered by families, is a treasure of a historic home. Number 88 Haddington Road is a two-storey over basement terraced redbrick opposite Beggars' Bush. The four-bedroom early Victorian house dates from 1848 and comes to the market with a two-bedroom self-contained apartment at garden level.

The 838sq m (2,750sq ft) property has an asking price of €1.15 million through Sherry FitzGerald.

Number 88 is the last of seven three-storey terraced houses built for the officers at the barracks at Beggars’ Bush. It is now flanked by some of the city’s favourite hang outs. Slattery’s pub, a popular place, is at the end of the road, the Aviva Stadium is within shouting distance and Juniors, one of the capital’s best neighbourhood restaurants, is also less than a minute’s walk away. Grand Canal Dock Dart station is less than five minutes away. There are neighbourhood schools within the same walking distance. It is convenient and offers a real sense of home.

The house is full of original features from the matching grey marble fireplaces in the interconnecting rooms to architraving and coving as well as sash windows and shutters. The two reception rooms have their original broad floorboards.

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The sitting room is painted a rich ochre yellow, a colour that is back at the fashion front but is also historical and helps to create a warm atmosphere. It was inspired by the yellow of ancient Rome. Pieces of free-standing cabinetry frame the fireplace.

Interconnecting doors lead into the dining room. Like the other doors, these have been stripped and waxed. A serving hatch has been installed in the room, making dinner parties less stressful for the host.

On the ground floor return is a raspberry red-painted shaker style eat-in kitchen. By modern standards it is not enormous, but the owner has used the space to expand outside, building a raised composite deck that has a glass balustrade and leads down a set of steps into the very private west-facing garden. Raised beds have potted plants and underneath the deck there is a large storage unit as well as another free-standing garden shed.

On the first floor return, the owner has built a light-filled room that comes with its own sizable shower room and a bank of built-in storage. French doors open to look down into the garden. A vaulted ceiling made of roof lights opens the room up to the sky.

There are three double bedrooms on the first floor. The back room is the largest of the three and has free-standing wardrobes. The family bathroom is on the first floor return.

At garden level, there is a self-contained two-bedroom apartment with an open-plan living, kitchen and dining area. The apartment has a small outdoor space. At present, it generates annual rental income of €13,800 but with a paint refresh, it could make up to €18,000.

Out front wisteria climbs the iron railing and there is off-street parking for one car.

88 Haddington Road, Dublin 4. Fine four-bedroom early Victorian house with two-bedroom apartment that generates an income. Agent: Sherry FitzGerald

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher

Alanna Gallagher is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in property and interiors