St Philip's takes its name from the nearby Church of Ireland on Temple Road. Constructed in the late 1800s, the property was the rectory for the church until the 1960s, when the house was purchased by the late Paddy Spain, founder of commercial property agents Spain Courtney Doyle. The property has changed hands three times since.
It is a rather confusing address, as the number 42F leads one to think that the property is an annexe of a larger house. In fact, apart from 12 houses, all constructed by one builder, all the other properties on the road – including those directly opposite – have the address Temple Villas. The builder in the late 18th century listed the houses as 42 A-H Palmerston Road.
The front hallway, which is far more spacious than those of many of its Victorian counterparts, has impressive original panelling, which emphasises both the proportions and coving details.
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Two large reception rooms have 12-foot-high ceilings and period marble fireplaces with raised hearths; though not original they are older than the property and date from the Georgian era. The diningroom has access to the rear garden through period French windows which lead out onto a terraced patio – a perfect place for aperitifs.
A further reception room with fine three-bay sash windows sits opposite, and features an original fireplace. Though not as grand a space as the formal reception rooms opposite, it has the proportions and light required to become a remarkable room.
At this level also lies a butler’s pantry, cloakroom and bathroom, all encased by impressive architraves.
At garden level a new Ikea kitchen leads to a light-filled conservatory which previous owners installed.
Alongside sits a spacious cellar – which accommodates all the sports equipment for a family of five. From the kitchen, via a narrow staircase, lies what would have been the maids’ room in times of old. Currently used as storage, it could be used as another bedroom – bringing the total to six.
Upstairs lie five bedrooms and a bathroom so large that one senses it was probably a bedroom itself at an earlier stage. A further room, used as storage sits adjacent.
The master and guest bedrooms are both en suite and look out over the quiet leafy road.
The rear garden, in keeping with the large proportions of the property, stretches to 30m and features herbaceous borders stocked with mature plants.
Houses on Palmerston and Temple Roads are popular in this leafy enclave of Dublin 6 and prices reflect this. Opposite,16 Temple Villas sold for €3.95 million in July 2014; and, down the street, 65 Palmerston Road, a unit in flats, sold in July 2015 for €1.81 million.
St Philip's is for sale through agent Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €3.25 million.
