GAY BYRNE knows all about decluttering having gone through a "monstrous amount" of paper and possessions in order to move from his home of 40 years in Howth to a spanking new apartment in Ballsbridge.

The broadcaster, who has just moved into Shrewbury Square on Sandymount Avenue, says he and his wife Kathleen Watkins started looking for a trade-down home about two years ago.

"There comes a time when the garden that was once a joy becomes a burden and the house the same," he says, adding that with traffic in Howth becoming well nigh impossible it was time to move closer to town.

He admits he chose the apartment because of the bathrooms.

"I always judge the quality of a building by the bathrooms and these ones were excellent, as was the wiring and the general look of the development. It is taking on a very nice shape."

No doubt viewers at the development this weekend will be keeping an eye out for the couple who started out their married life in Ballsbridge, in a basement flat in Elgin Road that they used to call "Wuthering Depths" it was so dark and gloomy.

Their new eyrie has plenty of light, and a fine terrace.

The kitchen is state-of-the-art, but don't be surprised to find the family across the road at the Four Seasons for an early bird where the company will ge good.

Residents there include former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, and stockbroker David Shubotham.