Four on the market: period homes in need of rescue

A choice of four period properties currently available to buy in need of some TLC.

9 Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh, D6 

€575k  DNG Central (01) 679 4088

It will take a lot of commitment (and money) to restore 9 Ranelagh Road to its former glory, and it's a listed building as well, which will complicate matters. But you'll end up with a three-storey-over-basement Georgian townhouse less than 100 metres from the Grand Canal. At present it's 2,178 sq ft in size, with a dining room and kitchen in the basement, two reception rooms at hall level, and six bedroom on the two floors above. The back garden, now very overgrown, is about 70 ft long and has vehicle access.

20 Belvedere Place, D1

AMV €375k  Kelly Bradshaw Dalton (01) 804 0500

In 1853, Ephraim McDowel Cosgrave was reportedly born at 20 Belvedere Place, off Mountjoy Square in Dublin 1. He would go on to become a physician and a noted antiquarian. Number 20 has had mixed fortunes since then, and is now being auctioned (on December 10) as either an investment property or a potential family home. It's 2,847 sq ft on three floors with a basement, which is a one-bedroom flat at present. There are two good-sized rooms on each of the three floors above.

56 Palmerston Road, D6

 €995k  Sherry FitzGerald Rathmines (01) 496 6066

This late Victorian house in Rathmines was damaged by fire 15 years ago and now needs a complete restoration. It's a protected structure, and there are good bones to work with, with many period features. At hall level it has a drawing room and a dining room, while the garden level has a kitchen, family room (or spare bedroom) and bathroom. There are three bedrooms and another bathroom on the first floor, and an attic room above. Total floor area is 2,271 sq ft, and there's also a 77ft garden out the back.

45 Montpelier Pde, Monkstown

AMV €500k  Lisney Dun Laoghaire (01) 280 6820

When the houses at Montpelier Parade in Monkstown, Co Dublin were built, at the very end of the 18th century, they had an uninterrupted view of the sea. Not now, although it's still a convenient spot for the coast, and only 500m from Seapoint DART station. Number 45 will be auctioned next Wednesday, December 2, and is all set to be refurbished. It's 2,725 sq ft and divided into four flats, but it has the makings of a grand seaside home with living rooms at hall level and basement and at least four bedrooms above.