When they were first constructed during the period 1938-1940, the G&T Crampton-built homes at Whitebeam and Whitethorn Roads in Clonskeagh were in the middle of the countryside. So much so, that the tramline at the time ended where Terminus Mills is today – opposite Vergemount Hall – a site much closer to town.
Designed by architects Fuller and Jermyn, houses converge at a roundabout that connects the two roads, where the 19th-century Clonskeagh Castle stands albeit today hidden among mature trees and shrubs.
Crampton, the Irish firm founded in 1879 that went into liquidation last year, was involved in such significant projects as the American embassy in Ballsbridge and the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace. Today, "Crampton built" is considered synonymous with quality.
In 1953, the builders also carried out alterations and renovations to Clonskeagh Castle where, two decades later in 1972 the town charter for Tralee mysteriously turned up. The 400-year-old charter, which gave the Co Kerry town the right to elect two MPs to the Irish House of Commons, had been missing for more than 130 years.
Now the location is considered a close city suburb and today’s tram – the Luas – is less than a 15-minute ride to the city centre. The nearest stop is at Milltown and the Luas also connects the area with the popular suburbs Ranelagh and Rathmines within minutes.
Number 21 Whitebeam Road has been in the same family for the past 75 years. “My parents moved here from Highfield Park as they had five boys and needed a bigger home,” says the current owner, who is moving to be closer to the sea.
And while the rear garden – which has a southerly aspect – is one of the selling points of the 137sq m (1,457sq ft) property, it bears the legacy of children having fun. “The old apple tree in the centre of the garden never grew any bigger than it is now, as when we were playing here as kids, one of our neighbours did a rugby tackle on it.” In a way, its stunted growth serves the garden better as it still produces “buckets of eating apples” despite never outgrowing the lawn. The garden, currently in bloom with swathes of spring plants, has colour from allium, agapanthus, hydrangea and camellia “that are still flowering since January”.
In 2003, a conservatory was added to the redbrick property, which is accessed via French doors from the living room, and with its southerly aspect could be a veritable hot house for tropical plants.
The living room has a lovely reclaimed art deco fireplace to echo the period in which this house was constructed, and an original fireplace lies in the dining room, which has good proportions and overlooks the front garden. Upstairs are four bedrooms, one currently used as an office, alongside the family bathroom. A good-sized wet-room is downstairs.
While new owners may want to update in places – the BER is currently a D2 – properties here are always in demand, due to their prime location, well-regarded construction and good-sized gardens.
Number 21 is now on the market through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €1.15m.
