8 Bessborough Parade, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06ER04

Number 8 is a meticulously restored Regency house (circa 1847) and situated in the centre of Bessborough Parade, a picturesque and historical, no-through crescent that leads towards the back of the Church of Mary Immaculate, Refuge of Sinners on Rathmines Road at one end and Lower Mount Pleasant Avenue on the other end. The owners have been passionate about restoring and preserving the original features of the house while making it comfortable and eco-friendly to create a healthy environment to live in. Having admired Bessborough Parade from afar the owners were drawn to the central position of number 8. Its higher attic space made it suitable for extending within its own footprint, and its location ensuring a quiet and light filled position front and back on the terrace away from all traffic noise and encroaching buildings. Having purchased it, they undertook a painstaking renovation to take it back to brick before slowly rebuilding everything. The work included reinstatement of handmade timber sash windows from Master Frank Clissmann, fixing Victorian drains, creating a French drain, re-joisting the whole house, Insulating rafters and attic with natural sheep wool insulation. The addition of an attic conversion with eaves storage and a full rewiring and replumbing was carried out meticulously preserving historical features. Sensitive additions have included expanses of tongue-and-groove panelling on attic ceiling, return ceiling and under stairs newly fitted toilet, with two of the original fireplaces retained. Lighting has been thoughtfully conceived and makes use of lamps, recess lights and wall lights to imbue the house’s spaces with an atmospheric glow. The house’s handsome façade features new wooden sash windows and a new front door, all painted in Farrow and Ball. A wide hallway leads to the sitting room to the front of the house which has a solid wood stove from Pioneer Clearview while the dining room offers a lovely view of the back garden. The cloakroom now houses a very convenient guest toilet with Tongue and Groove panelling painted in Farrow and Ball Mouse back, Victorian black and white tiles and a Farrow and Ball wallpaper replicated from Josephine Bonaparte bedroom. The restored return with new sashes windows, original flagstones, new cast iron guttering and downpipes all through, fully re-roofed in 2016 with Blue Bangor slates and rendered with St Astier Lime Plaster from the Traditional Lime Company forms a light-filled kitchen and utility to the rear, with French timber windows that open to a pretty walled garden beyond. The back kitchen/scullery is now home to a solid wood shaker-style kitchen with thick solid oak worktop. Two open shelves offer convenient and accessible storage. All are set above a generous enamel sink with nickel taps and an efficient baby blue electric Aga 60. There is a utility/ironing room at the foot of the room, where timber French sashes open out into the garden. The now three storey home unfolds over 140m² (1,506 sqft) to include attic, and includes three bedrooms and a recently converted attic which can be used as a home office or a guest bedroom sized for a King Size Bed. Having been decorated by fans of all things Georgian, the house is adorned with original cornices, architrave and skirting mostly all originals and finished in rich Edward Bulmer and Little Green tones throughout. Original floorboards and architraves have all been lovingly stripped of all paints and reinstated. There are three bedrooms in total, and an attic room. The very bright main bedroom spans across the whole width of the house with its original floorboards. The current owners have also added bespoke fitted Joinery/wardrobe to the bedroom and retained the fully functioning fireplace. The walls have been painted in Slaked Lime Mid. The back bedroom of a very substantial size also has a retained fully functioning fireplace, original floorboards, cornices and a new sliding down sash overlooking the roofs and garden of the back of Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower. It is painted in Little Green Confetti. The First floor return bedroom has timber sash window offering a sublime and unique vista of the green dome of the church. It opens up to a bathroom with oiled floorboards, a French sash opening to the garden and dimmer recessed lights providing a soft ambiance for long soaks in the free standing Albion Iso Enamel bath and a Burlington sink. The top floor room is currently used as a guest bedroom and a home office. It has maintained eaves storage with lighting. The large conservation Velux’s offer far reaching views over the roofs of the terrace, Lower Mount Pleasant Avenue and Mount Pleasant Square. It has a restored exposed brick wall and a Period Cast Iron radiator offering a lovely long lasting heat in the winter months. Outside, the garden has been designed by Tunde Perry multiple times Gold Winner for her show gardens in Board Bia Bloom garden show and with the assistance of the owner. It is surrounded by brick walls turning the garden into a very warm sunspot in the summer months. Fitted with reclaimed York stone flagstones it provides low maintenance terracing for a table and chairs. The garden is framed by lush vegetation. The design brief was to create a unique timeless cosy Mediterranean feeling with colours all year round using Mediterranean and evergreen plants like Cypress and Loquat, herbs, edible plants shrubs like white berries, raspberries and the loganberries and even a very prolific plum tree. Enhancing its unique style with unusual plants like the Mexican green dream and rare evergreen climbers and reflecting the timeless classical vibe of the house with David Austin roses, clematis, euphorbias and hydrangeas. There is a pretty and calm back lane at the rear of the property with secure access. The garden, is fully wired for outdoor socket, outdoor lighting and is fitted with an outdoor tap also. Bessborough Parade is brilliantly located in the heart of Ranelagh and Rathmines. The much-loved Rathmines road and Ranelagh road are a three-minute walk away and have a lively gauntlet of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, and specialist suppliers. Plenty of good pubs are nearby, including Corrigan's at the corner of the street, The Hill and the Black Bird. The greenery of Dartmouth Square or Belgrave Square are a 10-minute walk from the house. Palmerstown Park is slightly further afield yet still within easy reach. Parking is on street parking and some residents also have a long term car park in the parking of the church adjacent to the street. Very convenient for visitors or tradesmen. The closest Luas station is Ranelagh or Charlemont within easy walking distance. In terms of school catchment Bessborough Parade is second to none: primary schools are Kildare Place, Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School, St Mary, St Louis, Scoil Bhride and Gaelscoil Lis Na nÓg all within walking distance. Secondary school include: St Louis, St Mary's, Sandford Park, Gonzaga, Muckross Park College, The High School and Harolds Cross Educate together. Accommodation: Reception Hall Downstairs WC Living Room: 4.10m x 3.60m Dining Room: 3.70m x 3.70m Kitchen: 2.30m x 4.00m Utility: 2.30m x 1.40m First Floor: Bedroom 1 (Front): 5.00m x 3.50m Bedroom 2 (Rear): 3.70m x 3.70m Bedroom 3 (Return): 2.60m x 3.70m Bathroom/Ensuite: 2.60m x 1.70m Second Floor: Attic: 5.40m x 3.50m