Sherry FitzGerald sold a similar, slightly larger, house further up the road recently for 1,000,010, which reflects the sort of demand there is for period homes in Dublin 8.

No 36 St Alban's Road goes for auction on 1 June, and agent Roly Burke from Sherry FitzGerald in Ranelagh says the 1m AMV reflects both the demand for this type of property and the quality of the fixtures and finish in this particular house.

"Homes in this area of this size are very popular with young professional couples who are making their 'midway move' . . . trading up from the apartment and before the larger family home they have ambitions for.

"These are red-bricks, have all the period features and are within a short journey time from the city centre.

Buyers are younger, they work very long hours and they want somewhere close to their employment. A lot of buyers will have built up considerable equity in their own first home and, therefore, are prepared to pay for a period red-brick with character."

Certainly no expense has been spared on the refurbishment and decoration of no 36, which is in walk-in condition. Every inch of the 80 sq m (870sq ft) floor area has been restored, painted, papered or polished to perfection.

The present owner has lived in the house since 1997 and used it largely as a city base. All the renovations carried out over the years have been very much in keeping with the Victorian era:

there's an antique bathroom suite; the original wood floors have been sanded and polished; there is a feature marble fireplace in the sitting room and a belfast sink and restored cream-coloured Aga in the kitchen/dining area.

The villa-style house has a stylish front door, set off by a pair of bay trees, which opens into the warm high-ceilinged hall.

The livingroom has lovely proportions, again with high ceilings and a sliding sash window to the front.

The traditional painted kitchen at the back has a pitched ceiling and a slate floor and french doors leading to the patio. Double doors also lead through to the first of two double bedrooms, decorated with Farrow & Ball wallpaper, which enjoys the evening sun. The second bedroom features a blue-flowered antique suite, and the two share a bathroom.

The owners have planning permission to extend the first bedroom to the back wall to create a dressing room and bathroom, and a small office.

The west-facing garden is a stepped terrace, including decking and a private haven of climbing trees and shrubs . . .with the lovely pink clematis Montana currently in bloom.

Price: AMV 1m Agent: Sherry FitzGerald, 01-496 9909