Situated a stone’s throw away from the renowned Croke Park, 85 Tolka Road in Drumcondra captures the hearts of its owners, who hail from Donegal and Kerry. The three-bedroom semi-detached house, acquired by the couple in 2017, offers more than just a home. It has allowed them and their close-knit family to take full advantage of match days, alongside almost every concert held at the stadium since their acquisition, including performances by Coldplay and Garth Brooks, thanks to locals’ presale for tickets. Now, as they plan to move to a larger property in the vicinity, this C-rated, 77 square meter (825 square foot) home is up for grabs through Kelly Bradshaw Dalton, with an asking price of €475,000.
One of the owners operates a painting and decorating enterprise, and it’s no surprise that the house showcases a pristine finish. The beautiful contrast of clean white walls and hints of blue resonates a warm and inviting vibe throughout the property.
On top of its many features, potential buyers may find the home office/reading room appealing. Nestled to the right side of the entrance hallway, this room stands out with its wall paneling, bookshelf, and desk sprayed in a stylish teal hue. Aside from the desk workspace near the window, there’s an enticing reading corner, adorned with light from a sizable Velux window. It has also functioned as a playroom after the owners had their son.
The open-plan living room and kitchen laid with grey oak herringbone-patterned floors, are found across the hallway. Custom-made units supply ample storage space, a TV stand, shelving, and a coffee station countertop. A wood-burning stove ensures a cozy ambiance.
The compact kitchen, fitted with light-grey units and quartz countertops, sits comfortably in one corner. State-of-the-art floor-to-ceiling cabinets on the opposing wall accommodate a sizable fridge-freezer and a pantry.
French doors in the kitchen reveal the southwest-facing, low-maintenance garden, which houses two patios, artificial grass, and two integrated planters. The utility room, located in an outbuilding, offers extra storage and a secure place for noisy appliances, far removed from the living spaces.
The principal bedroom, adorned with a cast-iron fireplace and blue walls, is situated in the front part of the house on the first floor. Two additional rooms – a double and a single – are to the back of the property. The single room, once purposed as dressing area, now serves as a charming nursery. The bathroom is well-equipped with a full-size bath boasting a shower attachment, which has proven invaluable since the arrival of their child, the homeowners claim. White and grey patterned tiles beautify the bathroom floor.
Tolka Road is comfortably tucked away, sufficiently distanced from Clonliffe Road to avoid game day footfall and noise. A brisk ten minute walk will land you in the heart of Drumcondra village. Local gastronomical delights adored by residents, past and present, include Middle Eastern eatery Shouk, and the Duck Café situated on Conliffe Road.
Just steps away from the property is the Barbara Ward Community Centre, which runs an array of classes, even ones for infants and little ones. It also houses a creche. The family dog is partial to strolls in nearby Griffith Park and Fairview Park.
Rather than contending with vehicular traffic, the homeowners take to exploring the city on foot. They find it takes 20 minutes to reach O’Connell Street and a further 15 to tread to Grafton Street. For lengthier travel, two cars can comfortably fit in their paved driveway, thus alleviating the stress of securing parking down the narrow street.