The Dublin suburb of Rathgar remained a rural haven until well into the 19th century, when the well-heeled were leaving the poverty-stricken city to more salubrious and healthy surroundings.

Pasture lands surrounding the imposing redbricks were used to graze cattle, and the title deeds from 1862 for No 19 Zion Road make reference to the right of the residents of the house to drive cattle up Victoria Lane, on to which the property backs.

The end-of-terrace two-storey over garden level is deceptively spacious and extends to 345sq m. When the current owners – who have lived her for 36 years – purchased the property, there were two families living here, one on the upper floors and a second at garden level.

The house has incredible proportions with high ceilings, intricate coving and deep door architraves and retains all its period features, which the owners have restored and maintained down the years. “One of the items included in the sale is a very tall ladder – as the ceilings are so high it took a long time to find one that could reach above,” says the owner, who is downsizing.

The property has four reception rooms; two elegant interconnecting rooms at hall level, and an very spacious games room and intimate study at garden level, which is the preferred space for the family on cold winter nights.

There are six bedrooms in total, three of which are on the upper floor and three at garden level. The master is spacious with a small en-suite, and new owners may want to amalgamate this space into the bathroom, which lies adjacent.

One of the selling points of the property, besides its location, size and proportions, is the extent of the rear garden, which stretches to almost 43m. Planning was granted in 2014 for the construction of a two-storey over-basement detached mews of more than 200sq m, with two car spaces. Considering the demand for houses in Rathgar, a mews of this size could achieve more than €700,000, depending on fit-out.

Sherry FitzGerald is seeking €2.15 million for No 19.