house

Terraced two-bay two-storey former house over basement, built c. 1860 as one of six. Now in use as flats. Pitched M-profile roof having red brick parapet with cut granite coping, and red brick chimneystack. Red brick walling to front (west) elevation, laid in Flemish bond, with cut granite plinth course over rusticated granite ashlar basement walling. Segmental-headed window openings with rendered reveals and granite sills to ground and first floors, and square-headed opening to basement, latter with rendered reveals and red brick surround, with two-over-two pane timber sliding sash windows throughout; square and round-headed window openings apparent to rear, with three-over-three pane, six-over-six pane and two-over-two pane windows. Elliptical-headed doorway with render reveals and doorcase comprising timber panelled pilasters, fluted brackets with foliate and acanthus leaf detail, moulded cornice, timber panelled door and plain fanlight. Granite paved platform with ruled-and-lined rendered walls beneath with square-headed replacement timber door. Cast and wrought-iron railings on cut granite plinth with render verges to flight of nine nosed granite steps. Quarry-tiled path and cast-iron gate to front, with matching railings set on cut granite wall.

The massing and materials of this house are characteristic of suburban domestic architecture in the Victorian period in Dublin, while the unusual, slight irregularity of the bays adds a unique and distinctive character to the terrace. The house has a strong sense of its original charm and the patina of age is enhanced by the timber sash windows and well-made ironwork, while the doorcase shows some artistry adding an aesthetic appeal that greatly enhances the structure and the wider streetscape. Drumcondra Road Lower is part of the Great Drogheda Road, one of the principal ancient routeways leading north from the city. The planting of the London limes along the road verges in the eighteenth century coincided with the beginning of the development of these terraces of red brick houses, and contributes to the character of this streetscape.