Phoenix Terrace lies perpendicular to Rock Road, almost opposite the Blackrock Clinic, with views of Blackrock Park and Dublin Bay. Built in the 1850s, the house was once home to Prof Robert Travers, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
His daughter Mary caused uproar in the genteel society of the 1860s when she sued Jane Wilde, mother of Oscar, for libel. Travers, after having an affair with Sir William Wilde, Oscar's father, had issued placards alleging that the eminent surgeon had sexually assaulted her in his surgery after knocking her unconscious with chloroform.
Jane Wilde retorted by publicly accusing Travers of extortion and having a laudanum addiction, which led to the libel case. Travers, advocated by Isaac Butt, won her case with the paltry settlement of one farthing, although costs of £2,000 were awarded in her favour. The case destroyed the careers of both her father and her ex-lover.
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The current owners of 2 Phoenix Terrace purchased the property in 1996 and in 2010 undertook a complete remodelling of the basement. What were two bedrooms and a bathroom were opened up to become a living, dining and kitchen area, with a separate study.
Sympathetic
The interconnected reception rooms off the hallway upstairs feature high ceilings, original coving and ceiling roses. Both rooms have new fireplaces which are sympathetic to the period of the property.
The basement is now the heart of this 168sq m (1,808sq ft) home with a bright kitchen and interconnecting family room kept warm by an open cast-iron fireplace. French doors lead to the split-level garden designed for outdoor entertaining. Featuring espaliered beech trees and raised beds with tropical ferns, there is also vehicular access to the rear.
The house has three bedrooms, one of which is a rather small single on the return but has the bonus of an en suite bathroom. Two fine-sized doubles lie on the first floor, the master of which has a working slate fireplace and wonderful views of Dublin Bay and Blackrock Park.
Redeemed
The lack of a front garden is somewhat redeemed by the fact that the house is just fifteen steps from the entrance to Blackrock Park, where new owners can walk safely to the village. The handsome house with a colourful history is for sale through estate agent Beirne & Wise with an asking price of €975,000.
