We bought the house in 2005, the year before we got married. Cathal is from Cooley, I’m from Dundalk, and we both always liked St Mary’s Road. It’s one of only a couple of roads around Dundalk that have this sort of character — it’s wide, with no other houses opposite us, just trees and an old stone wall that borders the Marist college grounds.
We love the style of it. It was built in about 1883, according to the deeds, and we love the charm of an old house such as this: the sash windows, coving and the character.
Some of the rooms were just gorgeous, even though when it came up for sale no one had been living in it for a decade. It was pretty much gutted, although it wasn’t falling down. We had to dry out the floors, replaster, rewire, replumb and then extend the house. We had a lot of work to do.
Advertisement
When it came to the extension, we knew what we wanted, although we were limited by the space available and it cost us a bit of the garden. The house faces due south at the back, so we wanted to get as much of that light in as possible. We love the windows: Cathal’s uncle made them and it took us a lot of work to get them right, as they aren’t a standard fit.
When we were replastering, we discovered the original brick fireplace, which we decided to keep and put a stove into it.
The house is a protected structure, which has its positives and negatives, so there were certain things we couldn’t do. You have to have sash windows at the back, to match those at the front, and while we were able to install double-glazed versions at the back, we weren’t allowed to swap out the single-glazed front sashes, which still have their original glass.
Advertisement
That seems crazy when you’re going for a good BER rating, but we do have underfloor heating and shutters that keep the front warm.
Advertisement
In the roof of the extension, we also had to opt for old-style roof-light windows, instead of the modern versions. When we said we wanted some exposed brick in the new extension, we had to match it to the same brick used in the original fireplace.
We kept the floors neutral throughout, with polished porcelain tiles in the hall and sitting room, and ceramic in the kitchen. It helps with the open feel we wanted to achieve.
The sitting room has bi-fold doors leading to the living area/kitchen and when we pull them back, the entire ground floor is one big open space. This means it’s a real party house. We’ve had 25 people here for Christmas dinner.
Advertisement
In summer we can also throw open the back doors and fit in a large number of people for an event such as a coffee morning. That was my priority, to have a home that’s a social space, where people can just drop in to visit and feel totally relaxed.
greenefinanceandproperty.com
At a Glance
No 5 Kelso Terrace in Dundalk is a late-Victorian, four-bedroom terraced house with a glazed, suitably old-style rear extension. Best bits: A flexible ground floor that can be entirely open plan, a quality period townhouse feel and a lovely location, opposite St Mary’s College grounds. Owners: Nicola Fee, a home economics teacher, her husband, Cathal O’Neill, a chartered accountant, and their children Meadhbh, 6, and Darragh, 4.
Also on View:
Dublin 6w, €495,000
Advertisement
This 1,690 sq ft house is a project, with planning permission granted to convert the current three-flat layout into a single two-bedroom home, with a new rear living space. There is a detached garage with a door leading to the rear lane and with space for two cars.
Agent: lisney.com
They say: Remodelling is facilitated by a high specification central zoned heating system.
We say: You can see the approved plans/photo mock-ups during viewings of the house
Co Wicklow, €xxx
Hawthorn House is a gentleman’s residence near Tinahely, set on 23 acres. The sale includes the main period hosue, with its three bedrooms, modern kitchen, two reception rooms and two-storey studio. There are also four two-bedroom cottages with their own kitchen and living room, heated by electric storage heaters and solid fuel stoves.
Agent: kwa.ie
They say: A residence with a touch of class
We say: Hospitality business opportunity
Co Kilkenny, €485,000
This 3,400 sq ft house is at Slieverue, not far from Waterford city. It’s set amid substantial gardens with three stables. Inside there are four bedrooms and two reception rooms, with features such as 9ft ceilings and exposed brick, with modern touches that include high-pressure showers, geothermal heating and a water softening system.
Agent: brophycusack.ie
They say: The number of windows ensuresthe house is awash with light
We say: An unusual old-meets-new home in a pretty rural setting
Co Galway, €380,000
Millford House in Oranmore is a four-bed on a half acre site. There’s a large solid wood kitchen, utility, two reception rooms, a playroom/office and a sun room. There’s a large converted attic and four bathrooms. It measures 3,130 sq ft.
Agent: odonnjoyce.com
They say: Tasteful detail and decor throughout
We say: Ticks the ‘big family house’ boxes