DUBLIN'S signature architecture is the classic Georgian townhouse, and this lovely home at No 18 Mountpleasant Square combines that period elegance with the sort of living space many 21st century families dream about.

Leading off the hallway to the left are two formal reception rooms, each with wideplank floorboards typical of the Georgian era with original fireplaces, ceiling coving with centre rose and crystal chandeliers, and sash windows with working shutters. Both rooms interconnect via double doors. A quirky feature on this level is the butler's pantry, now kitted out with maple wooden presses and a Franke sink unit.

The garden level of the house is informal and family friendly with a bright, inviting kitchen opening through French doors to the garden, a large dining room with elegant period features and another set of French doors to the rear, plus a relaxed family room with built-in shelving in the fireplace alcoves. The utility and modern wet room complete the rooms at garden level.

Upstairs there is a total of four bedrooms. The largest of Address: No 18 Mountpleasant Square, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Details: Georgian two-storey over garden level terraced house spanning 205sq m (2,200sq ft) and comprising an entrance hall, two interconnecting reception rooms, butler's pantry, two landings, four bedrooms, en-suite, main bathroom, wet room, garden level hall, kitchen, utility, dining room, TV room and 100ft rear garden Highlights: A wealth of period features . . . marble "replaces, sash windows with working shutters . . . and wonderful living space in four reception rooms with a large kitchen opening through French doors to the landscaped garden.

Price: 2.65m Agent: Colliers Jackson-Stops 01633 3700 The lowdown these overlooks the rear garden and is en-suite, while to the front another double bedroom overlooks a vista of trees. Period style dominates the main bathroom, complete with heritage bath and mahogany storage press.

At the bottom of the 100ft back garden is a shed, parking bay, and access to the rear laneway. The property was originally for sale by public auction earlier this month with an AMV of 2.2m, and is now private treaty at 2.65m.

No 5 St Peter's Road, Dublin 7: 635,000

JAMES JOYCE is said to have referred to his last family home in Dublin as 'the house of the bare table' as by that stage, in early 1904, James Joyce Snr's finances were in a dire state. The man who went on to write one of the most famous books in the world lived at his parents' home, No 7 St Peter's Terrace, Phibsborough, Dublin 7 intermittently from 1902 in between stints in Paris before he finally emigrated in October 1904.

Due to a re-sequencing of house numbers when St Peter's Terrace became St Peter's Road, this house became No 5. In recent years, Dublin Tourism placed a plaque on the front wall of the house commemorating the country's most famous writer. The property is now for sale through Gunne Residential, and the table is bare . . . entire rooms are stripped back to their four walls. At the same time, many original features are in situ, including authentic marble fireplaces and wide-plank floorboards. The house requires substantial investment. According to Allison O'Hara of Gunne, wiring would need to be upgraded, a new kitchen and bathroom installed, and if someone was going to renovate authentically, the windows should be replaced by original sliding sashes. "You could spend at least 80,000 upgrading the property, but at the same time, the next owner is buying not only a 150sq m bay-windowed red brick Victorian house, but also a little piece of history."

Price: 635,000 Agent: Gunne Residential 01-830 6426