‘The amazing thing about where we live is that, although it’s right in the city centre, it’s really quiet. At night you could hear a pin drop. We think that it’s the best place to live in the whole of Dublin.”
On a sunny spring day, the cherry trees that line Lombard Street West are in blossom and one of the reasons for the street’s blissful tranquillity is immediately apparent: 24-hour ‘pay and display’ parking regulations mean that almost all the cars parked on the street belong to residents, who can apply for annual permits. The current owners have two cars and say there is never an issue finding space right outside their home.
They bought No 63 back in 2013. According to the Property Price Register, the price was €533,000.
“The previous owners had done a full renovation eight years before that,” say the vendors, “so the house that we purchased was in walk-in condition”.
The entrance hallway is light and bright, and retains its original cornicing and solid wood floors. To the right, overlooking the street, is the living room. This too has solid wood floors, original working shutters, and good quality shelving and storage either side of the open fireplace.
Under the stairs is a handy guest lavatory, and then you go down a couple of steps to the family sitting room, with an enclosed gas fire.
This leads directly into the SieMatic kitchen, which spans the width of the house. The kitchen is fitted with a four-ring gas hob, electric double oven and an integrated fridge/freezer. There are granite worktops, fitted banquette seating and sliding glass doors that lead out to the small south-facing garden.
“On a fine day we leave the doors open all day long and it gives a lovely airy feel to the house,” say the vendors.
The garden is fully decked and nicely private, ideal for eating outside, and has pedestrian access to a lane that runs behind the house.
Upstairs on the return is the family bathroom, with a separate bath and shower and kitted out with smart Villeroy and Boch fittings installed by the current owners. French doors lead from the landing to a decked roof terrace which, again, is private thanks to tall screens on three sides. The vendors say that this terrace captures whatever sun there is to be had, and is a lovely place to sit and read.
The main bedroom is on the first floor and spans the width of the house to the front. There are built-in wardrobes, period cast-iron radiators and an original cast-iron fireplace. The second double bedroom is up a few steps on the return and it too has built-in wardrobes and a period cast iron radiator.
Harcourt Street Luas stop is a 10-minute walk away, and there is a good bus service along the South Circular Road.
The current owners are reluctantly selling their house because they need more space and, while they would love to stay in the area, a move to the suburbs is on the cards.
The proximity to the city centre and the abundance of shops, cafes and restaurants is what they will miss most, they say, already nostalgic for the Turkish eggs at their favourite local cafe, Bibi’s.
Among the other great places to eat within a few minutes’ walk of No 63 are Sunil Ghai’s Pickle, with a menu inspired by the street food of Northern India, and The Fumbally, which now hosts a weekly market on Saturday mornings in its Stables building. Early birds can pick up delicious breads and pastries from Sceal Bakery, organic vegetables from McNally Family Farm, addictive peanut rayu from Katy Sanderson’s White Mausu and all manner of good-for-the-gut kimchis and misos from Fumbally Ferments.
Era: Victorian
Size: 120sqm
Agent: Felicity Fox (01) 633 4431
Viewing: By appointment
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