109 Ballyroan Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, D16FD30

When the original owners of this home moved in it was considered to be ‘out in the country’. Ballyroan Road was developed in stages and when 109 was constructed the fields were just six doors away. A new suburb was being created to attract civil servants, shop keepers, nurses and teachers – people who could not afford a similar property any closer to the city (sounds familiar?). There was no church, very little public transport, few shops or facilities. The first residents of this area were, in their own way, pioneers and from them a new vibrant community grew and developed. EXPLORE INSIDE: Downstairs there is the original sitting and dining room, connected by sliding doors. French doors to the rear lead to a conservatory and access to the garden. The kitchen has a breakfast room addition, and leads on to the converted garage towards the front of the house and to a WC and back garden in the other direction. Upstairs there are three decent sized bedrooms, one with a wash-hand basin (a feature that pre-dated en-suite bathrooms and had a definite moment sometime in the 1970s). The family bathroom and airing cupboard complete the upstairs accommodation. Over all the property is dated and will need some updating to modernise the décor and features. EXPLORE OUTSIDE: The front driveway has been extended to take over the original front lawn, providing parking for a number of cars and a turning circle if needed. The rear garden is private with mature planting and a patio in the area outside the conservatory. There are two brick built sheds in the garden; the larger of the two offers definite potential as a home office or workshop. The area is now very settled and mature. There are lots of schools in walking distance, as well as a fantastic library, and shops including a well-stocked SuperValu, butcher, fishmonger and the very popular foodie destination ‘Get Fresh’ (people come miles to stock up there, seriously!). Rathfarnham Shopping Centre is a 15 minute walk (or 5 minute drive) away and the villages of Rathfarnham and Templeogue are both short drives. Sport has always been well catered for in the area – Ballyboden and Faughs GAA are both close, and two of Ireland’s top golfers grew up nearby and attended St.Enda’s boys secondary school. THE BOTTOM LINE: This home has seen a lot of history, having been in the same ownership for over sixty years. Could it be the house that will help you write the next chapter in your family history?