A pair of large period homes on two of Rathmines' most sought-after roads have come on the market. Joyce Hickey reports

Palmerston Park/€2m: Buyers looking for Victorian space and grace in a convenient location will be struck by St Maur, a 355 sq m (3,820 sq ft) house on a large site at 22 Palmerston Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6.

The house, built in 1881, has a flexible layout due to a large annexe at the side and front and a cosy feel despite its huge proportions. Lisney is quoting a guide of €2 million prior to auction on October 6th.

Granite steps lead up from the well-manicured front garden to a double door capped by a delicate fanlight, and this opens into a small hall with a guest toilet to the right. The hall proper is to the left, and a study to the right, off this, is painted a warm red and overlooks the rear garden.

To the left are two magnificent interconnecting drawingrooms, which run from front-to-back. The ceiling cornices, both with exquisite floral patterns and ceiling roses, have been treated well and are not caked in paint. Two sash windows in the front room - in proper working order, like all those in the house - overlook Palmerston Park and the bay in the back room has a built-in window seat from which to admire the garden, which has an enormous lawn, a patio, a small gazebo and lots of mixed planting.

Upstairs, past another window with this view, are three double bedrooms. The largest, at the front, is en suite and there is a family bathroom up a few more steps towards the rear.

At garden level, things become more complex. To the front, with two windows, is the large kitchen, with a very contemporary layout in spite of its rather dated units. Behind this is a large diningroom, painted a warm rosy shade.

Further along, to the right as you look at the front of the house, are a bathroom, utility room and a fourth bedroom.

A 1960s annexe, with a façade that's sympathetic to the main house, accommodates a home office, a livingroom, a bedroom and a further bathroom.

As it has its own entrance, it would be perfect for an au pair, an elderly person, or even for business use subject to planning. A four-minute walk from the Luas stop at Cowper adds to the appeal of the area.

Palmerston Road/€2.25m: Number 48 Palmerston Road in Rathmines, Dublin 6 is rather unusual because not many houses on that road are double fronted. It rounds off a terrace that begins with a similar house, at the junction with Windsor Road, and so has a handy side entrance.

The 355 sq m (3,820 sq ft), pre-'63 property is currently in 13 units, and could be retained as such with some upgrading, but it would not take too much imagination to restore it to its former glory as a fine five-bedroom Victorian house, subject to planning permission. Douglas Newman Good is quoting a guide price of €2.25 million and the auction is scheduled for October 7th.

While it has been divided up into flats, many of them with their own bathrooms and all with kitchens, the period features remain intact. Every room has an attractive fireplace - most of these are cast-iron, with tiled insets, while the two principal reception rooms at hall level, have pinkish-brown marble fireplaces. Double doors connect the two rooms to the right of the hall, and a small room between the two rooms on the left was probably originally a butler's pantry. Upstairs are five big bedrooms and a separate bathroom at the top of the return, up a few steps. At garden level, where the original red and black chequered floor tiles remain, is the original kitchen, with a chimney that would take an Aga. This could be opened into the adjacent room on the left to form a big kitchen/diningroom, and two further rooms on the right, could be a good family room, games room or even a separate living area as there is access to this part from the front of the house.

The back door at this level leads to the large, east-facing garden which has a big lawn and some nice mature trees. Two garages open into a lane that in turn has access to Windsor Road. There is disc parking outside and the Luas stop at Cowper is a short walk away.