With the assistance of a renowned Dutch print company and the expertise of old Dutch masters, biotechnology professor Paul Cahill has transformed his Victorian home in Donnybrook into a unique and captivating space by incorporating large-scale wall art. During the renovation process, Cahill pondered on ways to infuse some color into the plain walls of his Dublin 4 residence. Ultimately, he decided to commission three oversized art pieces from Muurmeesters, a Netherlands-based company that creates canvas reproductions of famous works by Dutch painters. These pieces are delivered as cloth, with the frames sent separately for easy mounting.
Now, instead of a shoe rack or mirror in the hallway, guests are greeted by “Portrait of Alida Christina Assink” by Jan Adam Kruseman, which Cahill humorously refers to as “his own great-great grandmother”. Upstairs in the master bedroom, a grand rendition of Johannes Vermeer’s iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring” takes center stage, while downstairs in the living room, a similarly impressive rendering of George Henry Breitner’s “Girl in a White Kimono” dominates the wall.
Paul Cahill has a long history with No 17 Victoria Avenue. His father purchased the property when he relocated from the west of Ireland to Dublin in the late 1950s. Initially, he took on a delivery job at Kennedy’s Bakery on Parnell Street. After getting married, three of the couple’s four children, including Paul, were raised in this home. As the family grew, Cahill’s mother decided it was time to move to a house with a garden, so they upsized to Dartry. However, they decided to hold on to the Victoria Avenue house as an investment property.
Due to its status as a pre-63 house, the property was converted into eight bedsits. Cahill’s father, having been made redundant in the 1970s, decided to venture into property management and began overseeing other properties while also building his own portfolio. Initially, the bedsits were primarily occupied by civil servants and bankers, as apartments were not as prevalent at the time. Over the years, the Victoria Avenue tenants gradually shifted from professionals to semi-professionals, students, and casual workers. By the time Cahill’s father passed away in 2004, only one tenant remained. It was at that point that Cahill decided to reclaim the house and transform it back into a family home.
The renovation work commenced in 2006, with all the bedsits and their kitchenettes being dismantled. Under Cahill’s watchful eye, the builders drylined and refurbished the property while carefully preserving original features such as the chimney pieces, coving, and ceiling roses. The only major structural change was made to the dining room, which was originally situated at hall level. Cahill decided to excavate the kitchen and combine the two spaces into one large room. Additionally, a Lambstongue replaced the original kitchen window with metal double doors. Cahill moved into the house the following year.
Upon entering the house, one is greeted by the living room to the right of the hallway. This room boasts two sash windows, timber flooring, and a striking fireplace. Towards the back of the house, the kitchen and dining room have been converted into a spacious open-plan area on the same level. The kitchen is adorned with white wall and floor-mounted units, complemented by a quartz worktop. It comes fully equipped with a Neff five-plate hob and double oven, a Belfast sink, Bosch dishwasher, and a fridge-freezer.
The aforementioned black metal doors open up to what Cahill fondly refers to as the “yarden”. This area is filled with ferns and evergreens, ensuring its greenery persists throughout the year. During the warmer and sunnier months, the space becomes an extension of the kitchen and serves as an outdoor room. When the doors are left open, guests can seamlessly transition between the two areas, creating a harmonious flow.
A vibrant guest WC completes the offerings on the ground floor.
Moving upstairs to the first-floor return, you will find a double bedroom. Ascending further to the second floor reveals two additional bedrooms. The master bedroom features an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe, and there is also a separate family bathroom. Finally, on the second floor, there is a fourth bedroom, a separate walk-in wardrobe (which used to be a fully-fledged bedsit), and a utility room with access to a home office tucked into the eaves.
The house is incredibly dog-friendly, with Herbert Park just a short walk away. Cahill’s rescue dog, Rosco, has happily settled in his new home on Victoria Road and enjoys multiple visits to the park each day.
For families with children, there is a wide selection of schools in close proximity. Options include Muckross Park, Gonzaga College, Sandford Park, St Conleth’s College, St Mary’s, and St Michaels.
Cahill’s favorite aspect of the house is its vibrant energy. Upon entering, there is a certain ambiance that captivates visitors, which he believes emanates positivity and signals that only good things will happen within those walls. This positive energy has always resonated with him.
After many years of being a cherished family home, Cahill and his siblings have decided that it is time to bid farewell to No 17. “My two siblings who were also born here have given their blessing for me to sell it,” says Cahill. “I like to think our parents would be smiling down at me—for renovating it and for the possibility of using the proceeds to purchase a new home, just as they did. My mother was still alive during the renovation phase, and she took great pride in the work.”
Interested buyers can acquire this remarkable property, No 17 Victoria Avenue, for a guide price of €1.05m through Brady & McCarthy Estate Agents. The house boasts a C3 energy rating, ensuring energy efficiency.
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