“There’s a sacred place in Dublin, A place called Arbour Hill, Where sleeps our noble martyrs, But their message rings out still.” While the old ballad recalls the 1916 Rising, today Arbour Hill is more renowned as an uber cool place to live in the north Dublin suburb of Stoneybatter.
Voted the coolest place in Ireland and among the 50 most exciting neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out magazine, it has become a mecca for young professionals. Within walking distance to the city, bulging with hipster eateries and adjacent to the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, Arbour Hill is also home to Ireland's smallest independent publisher Lilliput Press, and Lilliput Stores, the equally independent green grocer, cafe and deli.
Number 21, a mid-terrace house dating from the Victorian era, was purchased by its current owners in 2013 for €293,000.
“We bought in the downturn but banks were very conservative about lending for renovations so we had to save before we carried out the renovations,” says the owner who is upsizing due to a growing family. At the time, the owner describes the property as being old fashioned with “wallpaper not just on the walls but the ceilings too” and the original stove with its huge chimney breast was still in situ, in what is now a lovely bright kitchen space.
But sometimes fate, while appearing to hold us back, actually helps us make great decisions. The property was renovated over the years rather than in one go, and this allowed the owners to put a great deal of thought into the design. The principal bedroom (which is one of three: two doubles and a large single that currently accommodates a bunk bed) now has a lovely floating wall which hides a free-standing bath. And just a bath, so it is a really peaceful space (the house already has two bathrooms). While it will certainly serve as a place to throw mucky kids to get them ready for bed, it is also a quiet peaceful spot for unwinding, for those of us who truly appreciate a good soak at the end of a tough day.
The property has a lovely white palette, which creates a neutral backdrop for the owner’s eclectic collection of art, books and period furniture.
The owner would love to stay in the area, “but Stoneybatter just does not have that many large houses and anytime I get the wobbles on how much I am going to miss the place, I have to remind myself that the kids now need a room each”.
Number 21 is a really lovely house and all the work in the 110sq m (1,184sq ft) property has been completed leaving new owners just the task of unpacking. With a BER of D2, it has now been launched on the market through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €575,000.
