Centre stage in Rathgar

A CHARMING and classic Edwardian Dublin property, home to theatre director Michael Colgan and his actor wife Susan FitzGerald, is for sale in select Rathgar, and its even more select Orwell Park.

Michael Colgan is best known as artistic director at the Gate Theatre, a position he has held since 1983. Susan has had several parts in Fair City as well as Bachelor’s Walk. The family has lived at the property for some 28 years and is now moving on to pastures new.

This handsome, big semi-detached property is located at Orwell Park, a beautiful tree-lined road and one of the most expensive streets in the capital. Double-fronted homes similar to the Colgans’ had commanded €4 million, and more, at the height of the city’s boom in red-brick originals. However, prices here are back to 2001 levels. No 25 Orwell Park is guided at €2m by Sherry FitzGerald’s Terenure offices.

There does, however, appear to be a lot of value in Dublin 6 at present. Just down the road from here, three brand new mews houses are available for under €1.2m for all three: at the peak of the market the sellers were asking €1m for one alone.

Back at Orwell Park the semi-detached property sits on a nice wide site and has off-street parking to the side for one vehicle. A small path curves around from here to the front door, where the ont doorway is captivating and features four beautiful stained glass panels. The hallway beyond retains all its period features — as does the rest of this quietly elegant property.

No 25 is a large home offering 3,150 sq ft of magnificent living space, over three levels. It has some very grand reception rooms of fabulous proportions. In fact it is an ideal home for those who like to entertain and have (theatrical?) dinner parties, however, it is also at best a simply great family home.

Off the main hallway are two inter-connecting reception rooms, the drawing room and the library. The latter is the larger and is positioned to the front with two bay windows overlooking the front garden. Both rooms have been decorated in the same deep green shade, and sport matching fireplaces with marble surrounds.

Across the hallway are two equally fine reception rooms, the main dining room and the family room with its cork-tiled floor. All of the reception rooms have a warm cosy feel. The country-style kitchen lies at the back of the property and is lit from all sides by five sash windows. The units here are a solid, reclaimed pine which gives the room a sort of old-fashioned look. A new owner may wish to change it for something a bit more modern, depending on their taste and budget.

There are four bedrooms on the first floor and two more at attic level. The master bedroom has a somewhat red and white theme running through it. Adjacent to it is an en suite/dressing room which was once another double bedroom.

The large back garden is ideal for those with green fingers, as there is lots of space to add to the current range of mature trees and shrubs. Meanwhile, a patio area to the side and accessed off the kitchen/breakfast room is great for alfresco dining on a summer’s evening.

VERDICT: No 25 Orwell Park is a capital home, bursting with character and life. No doubt if the walls could talk they would have many a theatrical tale to tell.