In a countryside location that has everything – forest and valley, the Dublin foothills, its own thriving gardens and urban facilities a short drive away – Oleandri has lived to tell the tale of the 20th century. A double-fronted villa-style house, it was built in the grounds of the Georgian 1830s Springfield House (around which the Kilternan Hotel complex was built) in the 1920s, very likely as a gate lodge.

The vendor has lived in Oleandri since 2012 when the family bought from the Church of Ireland (to whom it had been bequeathed), paying €415,000. "There was so much work needed that buyers were scared away," she says, "but as soon as I walked in I knew we should buy. It had such good energy."

As part of a complete renovation the vendor of Oleandri has reroofed and had floors and windows replaced. It has a new kitchen, utility and upstairs bathroom, and has been “very well insulated, really important in an old house”.

The name Oleandri may, she thinks, come from a one-time Oleander tree in the garden. Though nowhere in evidence now, the richly botanical gardens do have peach and apple trees, silver birch, rose bushes and a magnolia outside the livingroom window. The family is “upsizing” to accommodate a growing family, and the owner says they will find leaving Oleandri “heartbreaking”.

Double garage

Measuring 141sq m (1,517sq ft) Oleandri sits on a .133hectare (.33acre) site, has two reception rooms, three bedrooms (main en suite), family bathroom, kitchen/breakfastroom, arched reception hall and double garage. Agent Sherry FitzGerald is seeking €895,000.

The livingroom, the vendor's favourite space, has an east-south aspect, a King Star fireplace, cornicing, arched wall niche, floor space "large enough to fit three double sofas" and a magnolia tree by the window. A large, hardwood island in the kitchen makes a fine breakfasting area, an Aga is set into a tiled recess and there are extensive fittings. The diningroom has a polished timber floor.

The main, en suite bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and dormer windows giving sweeping views to the distant lead mines. A second bedroom has a fitted, alcove wardrobe and the third a southerly aspect.

The double garage measures 38sq m (405sq ft) and the wrought iron entrance gates are original.