Period cottage with sea views

Sherry FitzGerald is suggesting a guide price of £290,000-plus for a two-bedroom cottage overlooking the sea at 25 Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4. The double-fronted cottage, which has a surprisingly spacious and bright interior, is scheduled for auction on March 22nd.

This house last came on the market in 1996 when Gunne Residential offered it for sale by private treaty at around £95,000. Prices have shot up since then, particularly in areas such as Sandymount.

The period home has been restored and extended, with exposed floorboards and stripped timber doors creating a contemporary feel. It is the sort of home which might appeal to a couple trading down from a larger house in the area.

Wrought-iron railings surround a small front garden with flagstones leading to the white front door. Both the drawingroom and one of the bedrooms are off the hallway. Both rooms are painted in red and have exposed timber floors. The drawingroom has an original fireplace with a mahogany surround and tiled inset and the bedrom has a cast-iron fireplace with pine built-in wardrobes on either side.

Steps lead from the hall to the livingroom, which extends the width of the house and is bright with cream walls and pine ceilings dotted with recessed lights. One end of the room features a cast-iron fireplace with a slate hearth and tiled inset while the far end has a pine staircase curving up from the dining end of the room.

An open arch leads into the kitchen, which is roomy enough for a table. It has fitted oak floor units, a stainless steel sink unit and single drainer. There is scope for a further range of fitted units at eye-level. The floor is covered in green and white tiles which continue into a utility area and guest lavatory. The utility area is plumbed for a washing machine.

An upstairs extension has a pitched pine ceiling and there is a second bedroom and a bathroom, decorated in crisp blue and white tiles, with a Mira shower.

Outside is a walled patio to the rear with a built-in barbeque.

The house has gas-fired central heating and sweeping sea views over Sandymount Strand towards the twin towers of the Pidgeon House. The house's location is a strong selling point, since it is close to the village and on transport routes into the city. It is, however, next door to a working garage.