Elegant €535,000 Victorian house is a graceful property in Glenbrook 

IT WASN’T quite a “snap” decision to relocate from Bishopstown to No 2 Glenbrook Terrace 26 years ago, but the move was linked to the owner’s love of card-playing.

“I had got to know people from Glenbrook through playing 110, and it seemed like a good idea,” the owner says “and it was”.

Of eight homes on the terrace, it’s one of the few that are double-fronted. It’s a graceful property, with engaging cross-river views through canted bay windows.

Sitting into those elegant bays are the sitting room, where the high ceiling, ornate fireplace, and décor are very much in tune with No 2’s Victorian heritage.

Across the hallway, the dining room sits into another handsome bay.

These two rooms and the patioed front garden are where most of the living was done, with the outdoors favoured in almost any weather.

A second patio was added by the owners after they moved in, closer to the water at the bottom of the garden, where nothing will ever block the view because a road runs below it. Beyond the road, the Lee winds its way towards the sea.

It’s a low maintenance garden, made so by the owners, with just enough shrubbery to add texture and colour.

It’s a glorious spot to sit out in when the sun is shining and no better place to watch the world sail buy — everything from yachts to ships pass along the channel, and even the “odd liner”, the owner says.

“There’s always something going on.” 

She’s downsizing to an apartment now because there’s just two of them “rattling around” in an almost 3,000 sq ft house.

Accommodation at No 2 is pretty generous: three reception rooms, a rear kitchen (upgraded by the owner, who also installed new heating), a utility room, a guest WC, and a store on the ground floor.

There are five bedrooms overhead, two of which enjoy those commanding river views.

 The main bathroom is on the half landing. A private roof garden can be accessed from the landing.

The terrace looks its best from the front, but there’s good utilitarian value out back. A right of way allows cars drive up the lane behind, ideal for bringing in the shopping. There’s room for clothes lines too. Cars are parked out front.

Selling No 2 is Stuart O’Grady, of Sherry FitzGerald, and he says the terrace is beautifully situated, looking out over the Lee by the Cross River ferry at Glenbrook between Passage West and Monkstown.

He adds that, while No 2 is in good condition, “there’s undeniable potential for a new owner to elevate the standard even further”. This could include improving the energy rating, which is currently an E1.

Mr O’Grady’s guide price for the 275 sq m property, from where it’s an easy 20-minute commute to Cork city, is €535,0000.

Buyers who can work remotely have plenty of rooms to chose from, if they wish to created a home office.

VERDICT:  Play your cards right and this elegant Victorian home could be yours.