Asking Price: €2.4m
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald (01) 820 1800
Many people chose to leave Dublin in large numbers once the Covid-19 pandemic began, seeking a better life outside the city. However, there were others who experienced the opposite — their Dublin homes suddenly filling up again when their previously empty nests were occupied by their grown children.
Michael and Marie Lacey had watched as four out of their five adult children left home over the years. Their 2,530sq ft home in the charming Georgian Village in Castleknock, Dublin, began to feel empty. However, their peaceful solitude was short-lived, as when the world went into lockdown, all of their children, with the exception of one, returned home to take refuge in the house they had grown up in.
“Our son, who was living in an apartment in town, moved in just before Covid hit and ended up staying for a year and a half,” says Michael. “Apart from one child who was already living in her own house, they all lived here throughout the pandemic.”
Did they mind? “We were delighted! There’s enough space in the house for everyone to have their privacy without inconveniencing anyone else,” he adds.
Georgian Village, built in the 1970s by Shannon Homes, is a unique development of 160 houses in mock-Georgian style, located right next to the picturesque Phoenix Park. It’s a road that the Laceys had always dreamed of living on.
“We bought the house in 2004,” Michael recalls. “We had previously lived in Chesterfield, just down the road. The woman we bought the house from lived here in Georgian Village and when she was moving on, she asked if we would like to buy this house. It was an off-market purchase, so we were thrilled. Moving to Georgian Village had always been our aspiration, and luckily, we were able to make it happen.”
Although the house seemed perfect on paper, the couple quickly realized it needed some adjustments to suit their growing family.
“When we moved in, the rooms were quite small, so we renovated the back of the house to create an open-plan layout,” explains Michael. “The conservatory was leaky, so we transformed it into a more modern sunroom. We replaced all the windows, heating, boiler, and bathrooms. We made extensive changes.”
Insulation was another issue in houses from the 1970s, so that took some time to address. “We initially had the walls insulated, but that didn’t work too well, so we ended up cladding them,” he says. This improvement brought the house’s BER rating up to a respectable C1.
Upon entering the house, one is immediately struck by the elegant entrance hall, which gives a preview of the rooms that lie beyond. To the right is the drawing room, boasting a marble fireplace, coving, and wood paneling. A sliding door leads to the sunroom which has been tastefully renovated, featuring an exposed brick wall and two apex windows that flood the room with light. It currently serves as a dining room for entertaining guests.
The open-plan space at the back of the house is accessible from both the sunroom and the hallway, and it is where the family spends most of their time. The space features a beautifully designed kitchen by Jordan David, crafted from solid wood with granite countertops. The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, including a Neff double oven, integrated dishwasher, and a Kangen water filter system. Adjacent to the kitchen is a cozy family area, large enough to accommodate a couple of couches and a TV. The utility room provides additional storage space and is plumbed for a washing machine and dryer.
On the ground floor, there is also a study situated at the front of the house, as well as a guest bathroom with a shower. Upstairs, there are five bedrooms, with the master bedroom featuring an ensuite bathroom. There is also a family bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath and a separate shower.
The house offers even more space in the converted back room of the garage.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the property is the stunning garden. Mature red robin and griselinia hedging surround the lawn, while trees such as cherry blossom, lilac, acer, laburnum, and buddleia provide both privacy and aesthetic appeal. The presence of trees from the field behind and the Phoenix Park in the distance merge to create a breathtaking view. Various seating areas scattered throughout the garden allow residents to soak up the sun at different times of the day, including two circular patios and a gazebo. Marie especially cherishes the garden, mentioning, “I love the view from our bedroom in the early morning, overlooking the Phoenix Park. We’ve also hosted many wonderful gatherings in the garden over the years.”
“What I’ll miss the most is the view overlooking the Phoenix Park,” says Michael. “Only five houses on our road have this view. Having the park right on our doorstep is one of the best aspects of this house. Throughout the lockdowns, we were blessed to have it so close by. I nearly knew every blade of grass from all the walks.”
Now that their children have left for the second time, the Laceys are finally ready to bid farewell to their beloved home. “The house is simply too big for us now, so we’re looking to downsize,” says Michael.
“Our family has grown up in this house, and every corner holds precious memories for us,” adds Marie. “We’ve had an incredible life here.”
Sherry FitzGerald is marketing the property with an asking price of €2.4m.
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