It may be the best house to come on the market in Dublin for many months – but will it sell in the current climate?

IS THERE any life at the upper end of the Dublin housing market? Some would say no, but Lisney is about to find out, with the launch of 12 Raglan Road in Ballsbridge for sale at €5.9 million.

Agent Tom Day describes the Victorian redbrick as the best house to come on the market in Dublin in months.

The five-bedroom house is attached to one now being thoroughly renovated by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who paid €9.4 million for it at the peak of the market in 2006.

Number 12, by contrast, is fully renovated in a tasteful, sophisticated style that should have wide appeal. A trophy home that might once have been snapped up by an investor, or by wealthy parents buying for their children, it would also make a great move up the property ladder for anyone lucky enough to have sold in the last two years, with money sitting in the bank.

With so few transactions at this level of the market in recent months, it has become very difficult to value property at all, and the lack of accurate price information has also stymied activity.

Tom Day insists that this property is there to be sold. The owner lives abroad and uses the house only rarely. At one stage it was rented out to dancer Michael Flatley.

It’s a sizeable house, set well back from the road, with parking for several cars in front. Granite steps lead to a grand portico entrance, with the front door opening into a dramatic high ceilinged hallway lit by high arched windows.

There is 400sq m (4,300sq ft) of living space in total, all of it in pristine condition. While new owners may rearrange the layout some will be struck by its near perfection as a city home with its lofty interconnecting reception rooms and large ground floor given over to kitchen, living and staff quarters.

With tall sash windows on three sides, it’s a bright house, with nice views towards St Bartholomew’s Church on Clyde Road.

The walled back garden wraps around to the side where a large, landscaped terrace leads off the kitchen, and is divided from the front parking area by handsome wrought iron gates.

At hall level are the two superb interconnecting reception rooms that, like the hallway, have stunning cobalt blue walls treated with an Italian stucco finish built up by layer after layer of polished plaster. It’s good for another 100 years.

Both these rooms have pristine white marble fireplaces and wide sash windows that reach almost from floor-to-ceiling.

Also at this level is a large study with panelled walls and fitted walnut shelving.

Steps lead down to a half landing leading to a boiler room. A striking modern staircase leads down to ground level where there is a large livingroom with French doors to the garden. Also at this level is a big guest or staff bedroom suite that includes a dressingroom and a bathroom.

The Bulthaup designed kitchen is another large airy room with the working kitchen and island at one end, plenty of space for dining and access to the sunny side patio.

The remaining four bedrooms are at the top of the house leading off a spacious landing.

The main bedroom, which mirrors the diningroom below, has a picture window over the garden, and an unusual open staircase leading up to the en suite bathroom, which can also be accessed from the main landing.

12 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Five-bed period house fully renovated in a tasteful, sophisticated style

Agent: Lisney