The prosperous suburb of Dublin 6 was riding the crest of the rising property market until last year. Until then, it had consistently seen big sales for its fine period properties as buyers paid a premium for access to private schools, proximity to the Luas and an abundance of green spaces. For a time then, Dublin 6 period homes hit the headlines with sales such as No 5 Temple Gardens – which fetched €6.5m in 2016 – or gardener Helen Dillon’s Sandford Terrace house, which made a speedy sale at €4.5m.
But the first six months of 2018 brought the first wobble in values in the area since the crash. Prices dropped by about 4pc, sounding alarm bells to those owners of large period properties who might be thinking of downsizing. At the same time, prices of two-bed apartments in Dublin 6, top of a downsizer’s wish-list, rose by nearly 10pc.
Figures released by IPAV today to the Sunday Independent show that Dublin 6 has now bounced back. Even so, No 7 Dartry Park, a fine semi-detached 1930s home of 234sqm, which launched to market last September with an asking price of €1,895,000, has just lopped €145,000 off that figure. It now represents a relative bargain at €1,750,000. No 1 Dartry Park, with 192sqm of floorspace, and without a garden room, sold for €1,735,000 last year.
Like many of the houses on this quiet cul de sac, No 7 has been in the same family for many decades. The artist Bob Ryan and his wife Mary reared a family of four that includes the leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan (a man also known for his skill with a paintbrush).
The vendors, Jacinta West and Robert Ryan, moved into the family home in 2000 and have raised their four children here. Now, says Jacinta, the children are settling down themselves and she is “rattling around like a pea in a drum”. It is time to downsize, she says.
No 7 has been extended over the years to accommodate the changing needs of the family. In 2003, architect Clodagh Nolan designed a large family room with glass-pitched ceiling. A second addition was made in 2010 when the vendors added a generous-sized dining room with orangerie-style roof to the original extension. A bright and comfortable space, it has wooden floors throughout and double doors leading to the garden.
The kitchen adjoins the dining/living spaces but is housed in the original part of the house. It has duck-egg blue fitted units, stainless steel worktops and a central island with wood countertop. There is a Bosch dishwasher, Britannia six-plate hob and Liebherr fridge and the floors are travertine stone tiles. A handy utility room off the kitchen houses the freezer and sink.
Elsewhere on the ground floor, there are two good-sized interlinking reception rooms to the right of the hall. Both have matching sandstone fireplaces, polished wood floors and pocket doors that allow for the rooms to be closed off – a blessing for when teenagers, or their parents, want a little elbow room. The front reception room has a large bay window with Art Deco window detailing.
To the left of the hall is a study with bay window and built-in cherry wood home office. A tiled shower room leads off the return.
The second floor houses four bedrooms and a smart family bathroom with shower. The master is currently on this floor and, suggests Jacinta, if new owners wished to add an en suite, one of the bedrooms could be converted to suit. There are charming Art Deco tiled fireplaces in two of the bedrooms, and all have fitted wardrobes. This floor also contains a laundry room.
The converted attic runs to 19sqm and could be used as a guest or alternative master suite and has a shower room.
The south-facing garden to the rear is very pretty, set out mainly in lawn with some fine mature trees and shrubs and a sun-catching patio area towards one end. It extends to approximately 70ft and houses a large, bright studio that Bob Ryan once used for his painting but that the next generation of Ryans has annexed as a music studio.
Dartry is within walking distance of an array of private schools in the area, including Stratford, Gonzaga and Alexandra colleges, High School and St Mary’s. Fallon & Byrne’s food hall and cafe, the new Elephant & Castle and the Stella and Omniplex cinemas, all in Rathmines, are handy for local nights out. While golfers can swing a club at Milltown or The Castle golf, which are both close. The nearest Luas stop is at Richmond Avenue South, just six minutes’ walk, while the city centre is an easy 5km away.
Agent: Knight Frank (01) 634 2466
Viewing: Strictly by appointment
- View video of this property on independent.ie/life/home-garden
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