But before Dalkey residents start talking up a property crash, the canny buyer who bought this property two years ago has already made more than a healthy profit. Back then, the house stood on two acres that stretched from the front gate to back wall, but owner and property developer Graham O'Donnell, not wanting to waste a prime development opportunity, did the inevitable and got planning on 1.4 acres for a 50m development of detached homes, mews houses and apartments.

Thankfully though, the new 'sensitive' development doesn't impinge on the property at all, and 0.6 acre of well-stocked, walled-in secluded gardens is enough to keep even the most avid of green-fingered gardener, and those who like their privacy, happy.

This time around it's unlikely the property will be snapped up by a developer, but the appeal for those who like to develop is still there.

Graham has got full planning permission to convert the original two-storey detached coach house on the site into a 168sq ft mews residence.

Though, even better news for fans of period architecture, the main residence has barely been touched since it was built (Graham only painted and furnished it) and boasts loads of original features, in near perfect condition such as carved architraves, deep decorative coving, big statement fireplaces, working shutters and stained-glass windows.

Standing on an elevated site, enjoying spectacular panoramic views over Dublin Bay, Santa Maria is an imposing two-storey sprawling redbrick of some 557sq m (5,933sq ft) with a long and colourful history as characterfilled as its interior. Built in 1870, the house was known as Enderley and owned by the Jacobs family, until it was sold after the Second World War to the couturier Marjorie Boland, who renamed it Santa Maria. In 1958, the Kennedy family bought it. Fans of playwright Hugh Leonard will know it as the house where his father worked as a gardener. In fact, the house and garden was used in the making of Leonard's film version of his play, Da, starring Martin Sheen.

Inside, rooms are big and wellproportioned with lofty ceilings bordered by deep cornicing and boast big, beautiful feature windows, unadorned so as to let in the light.

The tiled outer hall, accessed via a cute little side entrance off the house, features a decorative pinelined ceiling and stained glass windows. An L-shaped inner hallway leads to a spacious dining room with feature bay window and imposing open fireplace with mahogany surround.

From here double sliding doors lead to the drawing room and through to the library cum study.

Also on this level are two more reception rooms, a breakfast room and sitting room with large picture windows overlooking a colourful rockery, and big statement mahogany fireplace.

It has a door through to a conservatory with steps down to two connecting wine cellars and understairs storage. A kitchen, pantry, scullery, WC and washroom completes the accommodation on this level.

Upstairs are eight bedrooms all boasting fireplaces, en-suite, shower room, family bathroom and large walk-in attic.

While some rooms in the house could definitely benefit from a makeover, especially the kitchen and bathrooms, Graham hopes it will be bought by someone who will love and appreciate the house for what it is.

"It deserves a family, with lots of kids to fill each room, although it could easily accommodate an embassy or someone in the music business, " he adds.

The lowdown

Address: Santa Maria, Cunningham Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin
Details: 1870 detached residence on 0.6 acres, spanning 557sq m (5,993sq ft) with outer hall, cloakroom, inner hall, dining room, drawing room, library/study, sitting room, breakfast room, kitchen, panty, scullery, WC, wash room, eight bedrooms, (one ensuite), main bathroom, shower room and large walk-in converted attic.
Highlights: The spectacular panoramic sea views. There's also a two-storey detached coach house on site which has planning for a 168sq m (1,808sq ft) mews conversion
Price: 6.5m; auction 30 May
Agent: Gunne Residential 01-280 1719