Secluded three-bed villa with large mature garden

Glenageary: €1.25 million Number 2, the Hill, is in a period terrace of houses so private you would hardly know they are there, writes Kate McMorrow

Tucked behind tall hedgerows at the top of busy Lower Glenageary Road, in Glenageary, Co Dublin is a pretty terrace of period villas, so private you would hardly notice they were there.

New to the market with Sherry FitzGerald is number two, the Hill, a three-bedroom house with just under 186 sq m (2,000 sq ft) of living space in a flexible layout. The agent is guiding €1.25 million prior to auction on July 20th.

The long back gardens at this side of the road are always a surprise, stretching all the way back to the gardens of Silchester Park. The owners of number two are keen gardeners who have encouraged wisteria, clematis and honeysuckle over hedges and trees, creating a veritable riot of summer colour.

Behind the front hedge is a forecourt with parking for three cars. A flight of granite steps climbs to the front door and through to a bright hall with ornate ceiling plasterwork. To the right are two interconnecting sittingrooms, one with a black marble fireplace, the other with a carved wood fireplace made by Hicks.

Across the way, the formal diningroom overlooking the front garden could be used as a fourth bedroom if necessary. Further down the hall is the main bedroom suite with its bank of mirrored wardrobes, open arch to a rear hallway and full bathroom.

The family tend to congregate at garden level, where there are two further bedrooms, a bathroom, family sittingroom and a big country kitchen with an Aga. A separate entrance is off the front lobby.

Pine and oak units line the kitchen/breakfastroom, while the cream Aga is tucked into a tiled recess. A laundry area outside the kitchen door has a Belfast sink and a walled drying yard which keeps the washing hidden from the back garden. Up a few steps, the south-east-facing garden (155 ft x 45 ft) is bounded by high granite walls.

A terrace edged with geraniums leads onto the lawn, its length visually broken up by maple, weeping ash and a half hedge of Mexican orange blossom.

A chalet-style shed would make a useful den and there is a rear lane with vehicular access, suggesting the possibility of future mews development.