The flagpole in the front garden of 120 Merrion Road suggests that this house is a former embassy as it is set among the many diplomatic offices that line this prestigious road in the heart of Dublin 4.
In fact, the flagstaff was erected by its late owner in honour of Armagh – his home county team – reaching the GAA football final in 2002. The Armagh flag hung proudly as the team took the Sam Maguire for its first and only time.
The house, dating from the 1930s, was bought in the 1970s. Over 40 years, the owners added many extensions, which now gives the property 358sq m set over two floors.
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Interior architect Caroline Irvine has given the house a facelift, with new carpets, pale grey walls and swanky furnishings throughout.
The house has an incredible amount of space, while each room added during extensions was built for specific purposes.
A large playroom overlooking the back garden was added to the property, which used to house a full-sized billiards table.
The fact that the room has a separate entrance and bathroom means it could also work as a self-contained unit for staff or become a super-sized family room.
This is in addition to four further reception rooms – two of which are interlinked and run the full breadth of the property.
Spacious back garden
A kitchen-cum-breakfast room lies to the rear and opens out to the spacious back garden. Although in perfect condition for its 17 years, new owners may want to update it to a more contemporary style.
Bedrooms, of which there are five – four large doubles and a smaller double – are upstairs and the master suite would give any five-star hotel a run for its money.
The master bathroom features a sauna and, like the kitchen, will need updating to bring the room in line with the rest of the house.
One of the major selling points of the property, besides its size, aspect and condition, is the rear garden. Stretching to 46 metres, new owners have the option to erect a further property as neighbours have done – subject to planning.
The house, in turnkey condition, is on the market through Hunters with an asking price of €2.65 million.
