A renovated Dalkey three-bed, a stone’s throw from Castle Street

No 3 Summerville Terrace on Dalkey Avenue may look every bit the standard Victorian red-brick from the outside, but it’s a very different story on the inside thanks to an overhaul about 20 years ago by its previous owners, who were both architects.
The changes are most obvious on the ground floor, which has been extended and largely opened up. Inside the front door is a small lobby with a floor-to-ceiling door through to the main living space. The rich walnut flooring in the lobby continues into that living space where most of the rest of the doors and walls have been removed.
Next to the bay window at the front is the dining area. The white — and very streamlined — kitchen in the middle section has brushed chrome counter tops, a breakfast bar, a four-ring Neff gas hob and a built-in Neff double oven. Opposite the kitchen area, the understairs storage is plumbed for a washing machine. Next to this is a guest WC.
The extended sitting room is three steps down from the kitchen/dining space and has two walls of glazing — bifolding doors at the back and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and a window to the side. On the remaining wall is floor-to-ceiling shelving — again in walnut.
The first, and smallest, of the bedrooms is on the first-floor return and is dual aspect. The other two both have cast-iron fireplaces. All three have built-in wardrobes. The bathroom has a cast-iron bath.
Up another flight of stairs, the converted attic room has two Velux skylights and under-eaves storage.
The house, which is semi-detached, has gas-fired central heating and a D1 energy rating.
Outside, there’s off-street parking for one car at the front of the property. There’s also side-gate access to the long back garden — it’s about 27m — which is laid out in lawn and patio.
What we love The gorgeous walnut flooring, including on the stairs. Good to know It’s just 150m to Castle Street, Dalkey.Agent lisney.com
The asking price may be some way beyond what you’d typically expect to pay for a home — even a very high-end one — in a country town, but there’s not much that’s typical about Marian House on College Road in Ennis.
The 358 sq m detached house was built for the present owners about 12 years ago, replacing an existing 1950s house.
The focal point of the contemporary version is a 90 sq m-plus open-plan kitchen/dining/living room that runs the depth of the house, connecting to an enclosed garden at the front and to a terrace — with a canopy, of course — and more landscaped garden at the rear.
Two large islands with granite worktops and breakfast seating space in the kitchen area barely make a dent in the overall space. Other elements of the Surreal Designs kitchen include a pull-out larder, a coffee station and Neff ovens and induction hob. Down the hall, the laundry room has a back-up kitchen with a hob and a freezer.
Also on the ground floor are a double-height entrance hall, a gym, an office/guest bedroom, a shower room and a temperature-controlled wine cellar with capacity for 1,100 bottles. The flooring throughout this level is polished concrete.
Upstairs are four more bedrooms, three of them with en suites and all with solid oak flooring. The main bedroom has a dressing area and sliding doors to a wraparound balcony at the front that can also be accessed from the landing and two of the other bedrooms. There’s also a linen room at this level.
At the end of the back garden is a greenhouse with an extensive range of produce — everything from blueberries and grapes to broccoli, cabbage, kale and beets.
The property, which has an A3 energy rating, has underfloor heating, heat recovery ventilation and integrated shutters.
What we love The space, the extras and the open-tread staircase. Good to know Security features include electric gates and CCTV. Agent savills.ie
Built in about 1865, No 6 Coast Guard Station in Cleggan has been fully renovated — everything from replumbing and rewiring to new joists and concrete sub-floor — in the past two years.
One of eight houses that originally made up the coastguard station, the 65 sq m end-of-terrace property has two bedrooms, both on the ground floor, along with a shower room. Upstairs is an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room — with sea views — plus a separate pantry and a WC.
No 6 comes with a 13.5 sq m, partly renovated stone workshop/studio that was the wash house for the eight houses at one stage. It has a private garden and shares common areas with the rest of the properties.
What we love The house has been restored with conservation in mind. Good to know It has oil-fired central heating and is BER exempt. Agent mattosullivan.com
No 24 St Brigid’s Road Lower is an extended mid-terrace red-brick house located off Whitworth Road and within easy walking distance of both Drumcondra and Phibsborough.
The ground floor of this 142 sq m property comprises a tiled entrance hall, a living room with a bay window and a wood-burning stove, a second reception room that’s open to the kitchen/dining room, a shower room and a utility room.
A bathroom and a box room are on the return, with two double bedrooms on the first floor. The attic has been converted and comprises one large room.
The property has double-glazed windows, gas-fired central heating and a C2 energy rating.
At the end of the long back garden is a garage with rear access.
What we love The light-filled front living room. Good to know The kitchen is kitted out with an Aga and a Rangemaster. Agent: dng.ie
Located about 2km from Newtownmountkennedy, the Cherry Tree on Glendarragh Lane is a detached bungalow built in 2000 and upgraded more recently.
Set on just over half an acre, the house has sea and countryside views. Its 125 sq m of living space includes two reception rooms, a kitchen, four bedrooms, one with an en suite shower room, and the family bathroom.
With new insulation on all external walls, nine solar panels, a new boiler, zoned climate controls, an electric vehicle car charger and double-glazed windows, the house has a B2 energy rating.
The property is set behind electronic gates, has a lawn at the front and a large rear garden, plus a detached, block-built garage.
What we love The split-level and very lush back garden.Good to know The agent says the large attic space is suitable for conversion.Agent mcgovernestates.ie