In fact, the two-storey granite cottage with its quaint late 19th-century features has such a sense of instant appeal that 31 potential buyers turned up for the first viewing last week.

"These cottages are so popular that we aren't surprised at the level of interest, " says Declan King of Gunne Residential who has set an asking price of 530,000 for the small two-bed, semidetached, double-storey house.

However, the cottage has huge gardens to the front and rear, and may be suitable for a discreet extension subject to planning permission.

Also in its favour is the fact that this property is presented in excellent condition and is ready to walk into.

The cottage has a floor area of 75sq m (807sq ft), and includes a hall, spacious lounge with floor-to-ceiling salvaged brick fireplace and exposed beam ceiling, which opens into a light-filled diningroom with polished floorboards and beamed ceiling.

To the back of the house there is a small but welldesigned kitchen with pretty white wooden presses and units, a Belfast sink with waste disposal unit and Chinese slate flooring.

A new bathroom with timber-clad ceiling is downstairs and accessed through a small lobby.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, with sloping roofs and timber floors. One of the bedrooms has an en-suite shower-room.

A large sloping garden to the front of the cottage means the property is set well back from the road, while to the back there is another spacious garden with timber shed, patio and barbecue area, and parking area.

Simply but very tastefully decorated, the cottage simply oozes character, with its original-style windows and doors and beamed ceilings.

Overlooking Chapelizod village, this property is close to local shops, schools and amenities, and while it feels like it's in the heart of the countryside, being so close to the Phoenix Park and the Strawberry Beds, it's only about three miles from Dublin city centre.

Price: 530,000 Agent: Gunne Residential 01-6280300