Once an outpost of Dublin city through which travellers passed on their way to the seaside resorts of Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey, the suburb of Monkstown only evolved gradually as a destination neighbourhood in its own right.
Ireland’s first railway originally terminated close to the Purty Kitchen and as a consequence this gave rise to the development of attractive Victorian terraces and suburban squares in the area. The heart of the village, however, took longer to develop and for many years its biggest attraction was the landmark Goggins Pub.
Now the strip known as the Crescent has become something of a gastro hub. A Dublin staple, FX Buckley, may have been there almost as long as the original railway itself – well not quite – but the addition of an Avoca and eateries such as Salt, Cinnamon, Lobstar and That’s Amore have made this a great spot for neighbourhood dining. Add to this some high-end fashion and interiors stores and this small stretch has become a boutique hub.
Set away from all these comings and goings about a 10 minute stroll away is Vesey Place. A smart row of Victorian houses comprise this lofty terrace overlooking communal gardens. Number 3, a double-fronted, two-storey over basement property is turned out in a tasteful green-grey, with a neatly planted formal garden flanking the path to the granite steps and fanlit front door.
No expense spared
Purchased in flats around 2000 for £800,000, number 3 had no expense spared on its refurbishment by previous owners. In addition to modern comforts – such as underfloor heating, upstairs and down; a digital security system; and a fully functioning dumb waiter service between the kitchen and diningroom – its elegant original features have also been carefully restored. In particular the ornate plasterwork, fireplaces and sash windows are back to their former glory.
The hallway is nicely finished with a polished flagstone floor, its crowning glory the stained glass fanlight and panels on the inner doorway to the hall. The reception rooms are typically grand but the livingroom has been brought up to date nicely with a dark colour palette set off by a gleaming marble fireplace and two huge sash windows overlooking Vesey Park to the front and the south-facing garden to the rear.
When the current owners, Simon and Gail Kilroy bought number 3 in 2008 for around 3.8 million, Gail says they had nothing to do but move in to the 390sq m (4,200sq ft) property. With family growing up, the Kilroys have decided to move on and have placed it for sale through Lisney seeking €2.4 million.
With five bedrooms, number 3 works well as a family home. Four of the bedrooms are arranged over the top floor and return, with an impressive main bedroom suite featuring not one, but two marble fireplaces, one of which is situated in the en suite bathroom alongside a cast-iron clawfoot bath.
The main living area for the family is at ground floor level where the kitchen/ breakfast/ family room spans the property from front to back.
Open hearth
At the heart of the kitchen is an eyecatching La Cornue range cooker (think Aga, quadruple it, and add some), while at the garden end is a cosy family room with a pot-belly stove set in an open hearth. There is access from here to a sheltered Indian sandstone patio leading up to the small rear garden.
The Property Price Register suggests there may have been value to be had on Vesey Place in recent years. In 2016, number 15 in turnkey condition with 337sq m (3,360sq ft) of space sold for €1.47 million, and last year number 9, with 390sq m laid out as a two-bed apartment, and a four-bed house upstairs, sold for €1.73 million.
