Romantic gatelodge by castle wall

RATHFARNHAM - €850,000:Rathfarnham Lodge is a piece of history for anyone wishing to keep it country while staying within the city limits.

It was one of two gate lodges at the entrances to Rathfarnham Castle and is where the front entrance used to be. There was a second lodge, which was demolished when the main road through the village was widened.

The detached house, set on .22 of an acre, is for sale by private treaty through agents Gunne Residential for €850,000.

It's a quirky building with original features and has a large south-facing space out front. This overlooks the castle and includes a small strip of all that remains of the original road leading from the gate lodge to the castle. It is now an anomaly of a parking space.

Inside the lodge is small with an extension added to the original house some 50 years ago. The original building has a formal lounge, to the front of the property, which enjoys the afternoon sun and has dual-aspect windows.

There are two bedrooms, also in the old house. The extension comprises a dual-aspect sittingroom and a tiny kitchen that in my grandmother's house was called a scullery. There is also a bathroom and separate wc.

The house oozes character. The interior transports you back to a time when most country houses looked and felt like this. The present owner lived here with her parents who spent 60 years together in the place.

There is work required to bring the property up to modern standards.

The house now measures about 88sq m (954sq ft) but there is a large attic space, partially floored, complete with gable window that would make a wonderful mezzanine bedroom. This is a listed structure so there may be restrictions in what you can do.

There's a really big garden, with lots of mature shrubbery, that could entertain a substantial vegetable plot and still have room to play ball. Parts of the original walls are also visible.

It feels like a happy, homely house. As I departed I spied a double rainbow arcing over the house with one ending in the garden. Romantics might take this as a good sign.

Former gatelodge to Rathfarnham Castle in traditional style

Agent:Gunne Residential