High on Dalkey Hill "with a vast and ever-changing expanse of sea and sky from far below and far above" is how George Bernard Shaw described the prospect from Torca Cottage, the house he occupied between 1866 and 1874.

Perched above Killiney Bay, it is now a four-bedroom residence which will be auctioned on May 16th by Lisney, which is guiding at £975,000 (€1.24m).

Shaw would scarcely recognise the cottage today. The modest four-room dwelling has been extended upwards and outwards to gain a second floor and rooms at the rear. In effect, the new is grafted on to the old to coexist tolerably well, and all is in pristine condition. Up the steep Velux-lit stairs, the main livingroom takes advantage of the view, running across the front of the house above the original reception rooms and hall. Here, the clean, modern lines of a maple floor, picture windows, and a polished limestone fireplace dominate, enhanced by a large deck.

Behind the livingroom, the diningroom also gains the view through an open arch. Across the landing is a butler's pantry. The main bedroom, also on this level, has a tiny en suite overlooking the bay. At ground level, vestiges of the original cottage remain in the cornicing, ceiling roses and fine period fireplaces. To the left of the black-and-white tiled hall, two rooms have been united to make a sittingroom/study.

The corresponding rooms on the other side of the hall now serve as a playroom and bedroom. A third bedroom at this level is set at the back of the house and has a door to the patio. The small kitchen is brightly decorated in yellow tones. A breakfastroom behind continues the cheerful rustic theme. This room opens into a surprisingly large and flat garden. Terraced flowerbeds yield to a good lawn. There is a parking space accessed through electronic gates from a back lane.