Glenmorgan, a detached four-bedroom house at 50 Lower Mounttown, Dun Laoghaire, is to be auctioned by Sherry FitzGerald next month, guiding £250,000 prior to auction on April 19th. It is the largest of a row of bungalows built in 1903 for the wealthy merchants' families who flocked to Dun Laoghaire for the sea air. The builder kept Number 50 for his own use and gave it more rooms and a choice corner site. Unlike others on the road, Glenmorgan was designed with bedrooms under signed with bedrooms under the eaves.
The 1,650 sq ft house is set well back from the road behind tall hedgerows and has off-street parking in front and a good-sized garden facing south. The roof has its old tiles intact and two wide dormer windows flank the front door. An integral garage to the side is the only access to the back garden. While a new owner might decide to replace the white-painted metal windows, they have served the house well over the years. Stripped floorboards, cast-iron and tiled fireplaces, working bells and unusual paint finishes give the house plenty of character. To the left of the hallway is a small family room with a fireplace and a door to the garage. Next door, there is a small double bedroom with a wash-hand basin and a pretty fireplace. The sittingroom and diningroom run the length of the house and lead through to an old-fashioned lean-to conservatory. The bright bay-windowed sittingroom has polished floorboards and a cast-iron fireplace. Through an unusual horseshoe-shaped arch with sliding wooden doors, the diningroom has a period fireplace and French doors to the timber conservatory.
The customary scullery and tiny working space has been knocked into one and a small extension added to create a bright airy room with a breakfast area, with pine units and worktop. The dining end opens out to a paved terrace. At the end of the hallway there is a bathroom and separate guest lavatory.
The staircase and landing walls have been painted a light terracotta, with white banisters. A chest of drawers and a bookcase furnish the galley-shaped landing. Because the upstairs rooms are under the eaves, all have sloping ceilings and attractive window alcoves. Two double bedrooms at the top of the stairs have fitted storage cupboards and the first of these has polished floorboards. A sea-green bathroom, shower and lavatory are on the return. The main bedroom is the most attractive room in the house. This has a deep window alcove, room for a couple of easy chairs and there is a fitted storage cupboard under the eaves.
The front garden is mainly in lawn with high hedges screening the house from the road. An integral garage plumbed for a laundry has access to the south-facing rear garden. This is very private, walled on two sides, and fenced. A wide terraced area has plenty of space for family barbecues.
