Ever dream of having an ancestral home, but don't have the ability to go back in time to achieve it? Percy Lodge could fit the bill. Although not quite in the stately pile category, this Victorian detached house has a timeless grace and calmingly elegant atmosphere that simply implies it has been part of your family for generations.

Although the reality is you wouldn’t have to do very much more than turn the key and move in, because the current owner, who has had the house for just under a decade has done a lovely job of making things perfect.

Sited on the desirable and salubrious Killiney Hill Road, the house was sold in 2006 for more than €4.25 million, having been withdrawn the year before at €3.75 million. Now it's guiding €2.85 million with Sherry FitzGerald, which sounds like good value, if you're the kind of buyer who considers their savings in the millions.

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Reached via a sharp turn off the hill between Military Road and Fitzpatrick's Castle, the house is protected by electric gates, old high stone walls and mature trees.

A gravel drive leads up to the front door, while the .65 acre gardens, which wrap around to one side, include a patio, lovely lawns, a chicken run and seating areas.

There’s also a courtyard with a coach house that could be converted if you decided you needed more than the 374sq m (3,735sq ft) of accommodation currently on offer.

Neutral shades

Inside the elegant hall (everything is elegant, and painted in neutral heritage shades), there’s all the cornicing and coving you’d expect, and a pair of reception rooms on either side, with marble fireplaces. The one to the left has dual aspect bay windows, while the one on the right leads to the kitchen, so this space gets more use as a familyroom.

Beyond the kitchen is a den which has been used as a music room. This continues down to the boot room and utilityroom, and out to the back courtyard.

As part of their upgrading, the owners added a sunny conservatory-style space off the kitchen, which blends so seamlessly, you could almost imagine the original Victorians chatting with the servants at the breakfast bar, while supervising the baking of eggs at the Aga. Upstairs, a skylight washes the landing, and there are six bedrooms so lovely you might think you were staying in a country house hotel and accidently ring for room service.

Sugar Loaf views

Steps here and there betray the stages where the house has been added to over the centuries.

The master bedroom has an en suite, and views to the Sugar Loaf at the beginning of the Wicklow Mountains. As bedrooms five and six interconnect, they would also make a great bedroom/study for a teenager needing space.

Killiney Hill Road is desirable for many reasons. Small village shops are at the bottom of the road, and there are plenty of schools in the vicinity. It’s a short drive from the main routes into Dublin, and Dalkey village and the views on Killiney Hill are on the doorstep. You’re in good company too; take the shortcut lane down to the Dart and Killiney Beach, and you’re going around the edge of The Edge’s house.

Does that add to the price tag? Probably not, but Percy Lodge is a fine example of the best that Killiney has to offer. A gracious home on a generous site.