The Progressive Democrats first got together around the dining table of this house in Rathgar, now on the market with an AMV of €7.25m. Fiona Tyrrellreports

A large Edwardian house in Rathgar has good party credentials - it can comfortably host 70-plus people for drinks - and has the distinction of being the location of the founding of the Progressive Democrats political party.

PD founder member Paul Mackay and his wife Lila are selling the Dublin 6 house, a detached five-bedroom home dating from 1910.

Kintullagh, 34 Orwell Park is an impressive house located on one of the best roads in the area.

Douglas Newman Good has set an AMV of €7.25 million in advance of auction on September 26th.

The couple have lived here for 30 years. The last of their four children moved out two years ago and now they are looking for something a little smaller.

It's a great house for hosting parties, says Lila Mackay, gesturing to the spacious drawingroom with a deep bay window overlooking the front garden.

But for people interested in parties of a different kind it is the diningroom that will be of most interest.

Here around the 10-seater mahogany dining table Paul Mackay, Dessie O'Malley, Mary Harney, Michael McDowell and Pat Cox met to discuss the formation of a new party - with ample tea and sandwiches provided by Lila.

Nestling among a fine display of china, a small silver plate discreetly commemorates the founding of the party on December 21st, 1985.

With 304sq m (3,270sq ft) of living space, this is a versatile home and it is likely to appeal to well-heeled families looking to trade up.

There are three reception rooms leading off the entrance hall - a cosy livingroom and formal drawingroom leading to the diningroom.

At the back of the house overlooking the garden in what was once a maid's room is a modern kitchen with green tiles and pine fitted units.

What was the kitchen is now a family room with exposed chimney breast and arched open fireplace.

A utility room and guest toilet complete the downstairs layout.

On the first floor there are four generous bedrooms all with built-in wardrobes. The main bedroom is en suite and has a walk-in wardrobe.

A fifth bedroom and the large family bathroom are found on the second floor.

Kintullagh is a remarkably bright house thanks to its tall well-placed sash windows.

Much of the Edwardian period detail remains intact.

The house is in immaculate order, having been well-maintained by the Mackays.

However, at this level of the market, buyers generally refurbish from top to bottom before moving in.

An extended open-plan kitchen will likely be top of the list for new owners.

Outside, Kintullagh has great gardens with a courtyard area, extensive lawn and plenty of space for parking.

A detached outbuilding has been converted into a studio which was used as a teenage hangout and study by the Mackay children.

Lots of love has been poured into the garden, which features mature trees and lots of varieties of roses. There is a choice of patio areas to follow the sun around the garden.

There is plenty of scope at the rear of the house to build on and the studio and adjoining outbuildings could be easily converted into a mews house.