Strain-built spectacular with 'wow' extension

GLASNEVIN: €1.75M:ONE OF Alexander Strain's larger houses in Glasnevin is for sale through Lisney for €1.75 million.

The builder, credited with some of the finest houses on Dublin’s northside, built 22 Iona Park in 1910 and, even at the time, it was special. He built only 12 double-fronted detached houses in the area – most of the other houses are semi-detached.

The current owners bought 22 Iona Park 15 years ago, and restored and extended it to its present 252sq m (2,711sq ft). They’ve done everything you’d think of to make the most of the space and style of the five-bedroom house, and that includes keeping its many period features such as the fireplaces, which in true period style are also in the bedrooms, and replacing the sash windows with new replica timber ones.

They also modernised by laying new oak flooring throughout downstairs and extending into the attic which is used for storage.

The room with real wow factor is the kitchen which is in the new extension at the back. Running the width of the house, it is a bright contemporary space opening out onto the garden.

The owners would seem to be serious foodies. The many sleek cream gloss units are topped with cream stone and there’s a large island ideal for food preparation. As well as the five-oven Aga with gas hob, there are two additional Gaggenau ovens. A concealed door opens into a large utility room and there is a large wine store.

Off the kitchen is a small family room. To the front of the house are two elegant reception rooms on either side of the hall.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, all doubles. The family bathroom was probably once a bedroom in that it’s large and still has a cast-iron fireplace. The style of the fittings is determinedly modern and, as well as the bath, there is a separate shower. There is also another large shower-room beside the main bedroom.

The back garden is mature and private with a remote controlled door giving access to a parking bay, although this is probably not used too much as there is plenty of on-street parking outside.

• 22 Iona Park, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
• Five-bedroom renovated and extended detached period house
• Agent:Lisney