The work and ideals of the 19th-century Dublin Artisan Dwellings Company (DADC) have more than held their own in Stoneybatter. DADC houses are elsewhere in the city, but the biggest conglomeration is in Dublin 7's Stoneybatter where the company's different house styles line the winding streets and where a sense of community has never died.
Number 16 Aberdeen Street, Stoneybatter, was bought by Shane and Bronagh Doherty in November 2016 for €230,000. They stripped, rebuilt and redesigned the interior before moving in. Shane, a builder, and a carpenter by training, attests to the quality of DADC work and materials. "The roof and slates were all in perfect nick. It was really well built, everywhere." A DADC map of the company's 1885- 1886 Infirmary Road Scheme clearly shows the layout and plans for Aberdeen Road and number 16.
‘Trial and error’
The home Shane and Bronagh Doherty are selling through Sherry FitzGerald for €395,000 has, after "lots of trials and error", an open plan living/ kitchen/dining, family shower room, two bedrooms and a small patio to the rear. The floor area covers 62sq m (667sq ft).
“We love the house,” Shane says, “the community is great and it’s a great Sunday morning area with the Phoenix Park, duck feeding and the Zoo so close.” But, family growing, they want a third bedroom and “needs must”.
The use of contrasting wall paints gives a sense of mild opulence to the opened-up ground floor. A large fireplace with reclaimed tile inset adds cachet, as do contrasting mouldings around the wide front window, made by Shane “to show it off”.
Laminate wood
The ceiling is 9ft high, the floor laminate wood and the custom-built kitchen, where a sloped ceiling is lit by a couple of Velux windows, has a French window to the small, enclosed patio. An understair storage area is plumbed for a washing-machine and has space for a dryer.
The dramatic shower-room, also on the ground floor rear, has black London glass tiles on the walls and an ornately tiled floor.
The stairs are cleverly lit by a Velux and the main bedroom is given lots of light by another large, front window. The rear, second bedroom has a window which, on good days, allows for mountain views.
There are 32 houses for sale in Stoneybatter at the moment. Prices range depending on whether or not work is needed. Number 29 Aberdeen Street sold for €329,000 just six months ago.
