Rare breed up for sale in the Paddocks

IT was the bee’s knees when it first opened and it even won a few awards for its architect, Roddy Hogan, who also lives there himself.

Where is it? The Paddocks, of course, that wooded estate at the end of Maryborough Hill where that slight twist in the standard estate plan gives this scheme of detached houses more than its geographical elevation.

The Paddocks is seen as one of the better Douglas addresses and re-sales here are rare enough, which means there should be a number of ready buyers for number 3, Tirol Avenue, new to the market this week.

Buyers have the option initially of having an attic conversion in the standard, four-bed and these three-storey houses are recognisable by their slightly higher roof pitch.

In the case of number 3, it now comes with five bedrooms, but one could more properly be used as a gym, since it includes a shower and WHB and has enough room left over for a floor mat and cross-trainer.

The ground floor space is really good because the owners have added two extra rooms at the back. One is a sunroom/dining room directly off the kitchen and the second an extension of the family room.

This bright space functions as a room in its own right and with its antique brick wall, white painted beams and primary coloured accessories is a cheerful and modern addition.

The two front rooms on either side of the entrance hallway, are more formal and their high ceilings and glazed doors lend a sense of old decency.

The main sitting room is traditional in style with white dado rail, white marble fireplace and soft yellows walls, drapes and blinds. The family room on the other side is used as a formal dining room and it’s perfectly proportioned for a suite and sideboard combination.

Just beyond the family room is the guest bathroom tucked off the split-level hallway before the entrance to both the kitchen and living room.

The kitchen is fitted on two sides and has a window overlooking the garden on one end, and a door to a utility on the other: in between are country pine units and a large, square island unit. An arch leads to the dining area and double doors lead through to the extended living room.

First floor up, there’s a big master bedroom with walk-in dressing room, fitted wardrobes and large ensuite, all in soothing off-whites and cream, while the two children’s bedrooms are alive with colour and very welcoming.

The attic level has some of the brightest rooms in the house: two on either side of the landing, one the quasi-gym, the other a fine, double bedroom.

In an estate where the sloping terrain gives each house a different level and where sites are tight, this house has a really attractive extra - room for a garage at the side and parking for up to four cars in the front.

One other boon to The Paddocks, it has the beautiful, tree boundary of Douglas house and a large green at its peak which is a wonderland for children.

Terence O’Leary of O’Mahony Walsh Property Partners seeks offers in the region of €595,000.