The first surprise at 28 Aranleigh Court in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, greets you as soon as you walk through the front door.

From the outside it’s a typical family home, a semi-detached house on a quiet cul-de-sac, in a very handy catchment area for some very good schools, plus great local shops within walking distance – what’s not to love?

Step into the hallway, however, and you can immediately see, through the kitchen, a lovely bright extension and charming south-facing patio beyond.

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“You don’t expect this space when you come in,” agrees the owner, who has raised a family here, and cleverly created more space as the need arose.

Tiled floor

The kitchen is a pretty duck egg blue, with a tiled floor, and the dining area, which opens on to the patio garden is awash with light.

The ground floor also extends to a study/den and a large sittingroom with an antique fireplace. Upstairs are four bedrooms, one en-suite, and a family bathroom.

There are two doubles and two singles – one of which is currently in use as a very well-appointed utility room – but could easily be converted back.

Spacious attic conversion

There is a further surprise upstairs in the brilliantly spacious attic conversion, plus a shower room. From here, the views of the Dublin mountains are very fine.

The house is for sale with Lisney at €595,000, and, as the owner says, "you couldn't pick a better place to rear children". There are wonderful parks, lots of amenities and, when the kids get to the age where they prefer new delights to running about in the fresh air with balls and dogs – Dundrum Town Centre is a 10 minutes' drive.