Originality and style in Clonskeagh

Distinctive Art Deco home with a large private garden for €975,000


For Iain Willis, memories of 1 Vergemount Park in Clonskeagh are fond.

He spent his college days here with brothers Simon and Brian, who both work in the film industry, living with their elderly aunt. Iain and Simon bought the house from the estate after her death.

If you ever wondered where talented thespians hung out while shooting in Ireland, it was at number 1 Vergemount Park. Iain's college years saw Ewan McGregor, Anna Friel and John Hurt all party here while shooting in Ireland, as did Richard E Grant, who was fondly known as Richie by the elderly aunt and her bridge club friends.

Vergemount Park dates from the 1930s and is built in Art Deco style. Number 1 is the largest site on the cul-de-sac and is also the only house to have retained its original front windows. The property comprises a house that has a large annexe attached and stands at 165sq m (1,776sq ft) with a sizeable rear garden.

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The Willis brothers overhauled the property 14 years ago to create a self-contained two-bedroom apartment in the annexe which can easily be integrated back into the house to create a large living and kitchen space. New pitched roofs with lots of large Velux bathe the rooms in natural light.

The house itself has four bedrooms and boasts the original symmetrical Art Deco fireplaces in all rooms – except a box room and bathroom.

Downstairs the reception rooms, which were once divided, have been opened up to create a bright living and dining area which flow seamlessly into one another.

The size of the rear garden is a rarity in Dublin 6 and has played host to many wrap parties thrown by the brothers. "We used to hang a huge white sheet between the two trees at the back and use a projector to show films to the cast and friends," recalls Iain. "The film The Pear Bottle was actually shot in the garden."

The Willis brothers are leaving number 1 to start new adventures in life and have placed their memory-filled home on the market with estate agent Beirne & Wise, with an asking price of €975,000.