Stoneybatter was once an old country road that linked the capital with Tara in Co Meath. Noted for the number of public houses along its path with travellers so fuelled with alcohol it is where the term to “go on the batter” was coined.
Today, after much gentrification, the area has become synonymous as a hipster location, where you are more likely to meet people carrying yoga mats and wicker baskets of organic produce. It was called Williamsburg on the Liffey by the Guardian newspaper – Williamsburg is the uber trendy area of Brooklyn, New York.
A 10-minute walk to the city, bordered by the Phoenix Park and served by a Luas stop, the area is much sought after by young couples.
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Number 23 St Joseph's Road – just off Prussia Street – was purchased by Suzie Donnelly and her partner Gijs Van Houten in 2011 for €255,000.
“It had not been touched since the 1970s, and was just about habitable. It was a warren of dark pokey rooms and it came with a resident cat – who we adopted,” recalls Donnelly.
Coming from a family of builders has its perks, and Donnelly's family – now a third generation of builders PME Donnelly, who built Moorfield, one of the first housing estates in Newbridge in the 1960s – were on hand to transform the mid-terrace house.
The rear of the property, which was originally three rooms, was opened up into an open plan kitchen-cum-diningroom. To give greater light and a sense of space a vaulted ceiling with a large Velux window was installed.
The dividing wall between the two rooms to the front of the house was removed, again to give more light and sense of space,
Upstairs the third bedroom was turned into a fine sized bathroom; it now has his and hers sinks, a roll top bath and a large shower.
There are two bedrooms on this floor. The main one stretches the width of the property and has a working cast-iron fireplace.
The attic is now accessed by a full set of stairs – it is a seamless addition so much so it’s hard to tell that it is a new inclusion.
The attic room is the real surprise of the property, and it is currently used as a home office and guest bedroom. The exposed brickwork is a lovely addition – this feature is also used in the kitchen and courtyard garden.
Sherry FitzGerald is seeking €490,000 for the house extending to 125sq m (1,345sq ft) in total, which is in excellent order.
