Keep it country in D14

THERE’S downsizing and then there’s the kind of slaloming that sees Mrs Máire Mullarney trading down from a rambling old mansion to a one-bed apartment.

The indomitable mother of 11 and chatelaine of Mill House, a unique, Georgian property in the heart of Rathfarnham, is to move when the house on Whitechurch road goes to auction on April 9 next.

Once in the heart of the countryside, this three-storey, 3,500 square foot property has been lived in by the Mullarneys since the mid-1950’s.

And while she feels it might not be the thing for ‘a mother bird to leave the nest’ she’s ready to embrace the world of tidy living, adding that there’s a blow-up bed in the apartment for those children wishing to visit.

The author of Anything School Can Do, You Can Do Better, (amongst others) Máire educated all of her children at home and has seen her family grow in a number of different directions.

Mrs Mullarney is a former nurse, physiotherapist, journalist, founding member of the Green Party and passionate supporter of Esperanto, the man-made language.

She and husband Séan bought Mill House in the mid-1950’s for £2,200 from vendor, Bulmer Hobson, a friend of Pádraig Pearse, and a member of the Volunteers, as well as the Society of Friends.

Built in the late 1700’s the house is ‘something else’, says Catriona Dalton of Sherry FitzGerald who is handling the sale.

With two weekends of viewing down, there have been a lots of interests, says Ms Dalton, with some people overawed by the property Set at the back of its gardens and surrounded by high walls, the house and boundary wall are listed.

Although it comes with pedestrian access only, there is room to manoeuvre at the back, says Ms Dalton, allowing for access by car.

The house will need a lot of work and money, she cautions, but feels canny buyers will see the long term investment here, as well as the uniqueness of owning a country property is one of the more convenient suburbs of the city.

Mill House will be a large undertaking by any standards, but at a reserve of €630,000 prior to auction it should bring in the pragmatic, as well as the idealistic, buyer.

Under current South Dublin County Council regulations, any renovations will have to be in keeping with the period of the house and will need planning permission.

Grant-aid is available towards renewing older buildings, but the maximum level, under special circumstances, is €25,000.

Briefly, the accommodation includes a sun porch entrance, a main hallway, which, when the hideous brown lino was removed by the Mullarney’s, revealed lovely old flagstones beneath.

One reception room is at ground floor level along with a kitchen, utility, store and bathroom and there are two formal rooms on the first floor, along with a bathroom.

The second floor has five bedrooms and a dressing room and there’s probably potential to extend into the attic.

Now into her eighties, Máire Mullarney, though still bright and fit, feels it’s time for someone else to breathe life into the old house. Her autobiography, What About Me? should be available in public libraries throughout the country.