2 Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2
Semi-detached two-bay three-storey house, built 1830, as one of pair, having basement and single-storey porch to side (north) elevation. M-profile hipped slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles, concealed by rendered parapet having stucco scrolls with anthropomorphic and foliate decoration. Rendered chimneystacks with clay pots. Hipped slate roof to porch, concealed by rendered parapet. Rendered walls, render details comprising pilasters to second floor, moulded cornices. Ionic pilasters to ground floor supporting moulded cornice, stone plinth course over basement. Fluted Doric columns supporting frieze having triglyphs and metopes, moulded cornice, to front of porch. Square-headed window openings with moulded render surrounds, those to first floor having scrolled consoles with moulded cornices and pediments. Stone sills to ground floor openings. Cast-iron railings with foliate motif to first and ground floor openings. Continuous masonry sill course to first and second floor windows openings. Three-over-three pane and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Recessed entrance to front of porch. Square-headed door opening having moulded render doorcase comprising panelled pilasters with scrolled consoles supporting stepped cornice, timber panelled door. Pair of cast-iron boot-scrapes to granite platform, granite steps. Square and segmental-headed door openings to basement. Cast-iron railings to front of house.
Appraisal
Elaborate stucco decoration gives a grandiose classical flavour to this remarkably intact composition, while also having a unifying effect on the paired form, making the two houses appear as one. Salient features are retained throughout. Formerly overlooking a large wedge-shaped green, the houses were built as a speculative venture by Charles Jaspar Joly, the son of Jean Jaspar Joly (d.1823) who came to Ireland from France as private secretary of Lord William Fitzgerald and acquired land in this area. Later this house was the residence of Lilo and Edward Stephens, who wrote a biography of Edward’s uncle J.M. Synge; Edward, a barrister, was also involved with Michael Collins in the Treaty negotiations for the setting up of the Irish Free State. It forms part of Harcourt Terrace, which is acknowledged as Ireland’s finest surviving group of Regency houses.
€3,450,000
Single Family Home/House Dublin Ireland
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 376 Sqm
2 Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2 For sale November 2025 courtesy Sherry Fitzgerald and Christie’s International Realty
An exceptionally elegant semi-detached three storey over basement Regency style period home, ideally located on one of Dublin’s most attractive and convenient roads, just off Adelaide Road and only 600m walk to St Stephen’s Green. The street was built in the 1820’s by Frenchman Charles Joly.
The house was completely refurbished and extended in 2017 and extends to 376sqm / 4,047sqft approx. with rooms of gracious proportions complemented by many notable original features including sash windows, ornate ceiling cornices, centre roses and high ceilings.
No 2 is well screened from the road by hedging with an attractive railed garden laid out in artificial lawn bordered by box hedging with valuable off street car parking behind electric gates. The original granite steps lead into the impressive entrance hallway with hand painted walls, ceiling cornice and overhead cupola which sets the tone for the quality of the restoration of this fine home. A butler’s kitchen to the rear of the hall is ideal for entertaining and is fitted with mahogany cabinets by The Victorian Kitchen Company. Two beautifully proportioned interconnecting reception rooms off the inner hall feature stunning marble fireplaces, original ceiling cornices and centre roses, whilst on the hall floor return, a cosy living room overlooks the garden with a separate wc off the landing. At basement level, the kitchen / breakfast room is fitted with modern units and a cream AGA acts as a focal point. French doors lead to an impressive garden room, designed by Trombé which features an automatic retractable glass roof and opens out to the sunny garden. To the front, there is a study / fourth bedroom with access to the front garden. A utility room, pantry, wine cellar and guest wc complete the accommodation at this level. Upstairs, there are three further double bedrooms, the stunning main bedroom suite which incorporates a large dressing room which could equally be used as an additional bedroom. A luxuriously appointed bathroom is located on the first floor return and there is a separate shower room on the top floor.
The west facing and private rear garden is beautifully landscaped with a selection of mature plants and trees with a central pond, barbeque area with overhead canopy, potting shed and large garage with a vehicular right of way through electric gates.
The convenience of the location cannot be overstated, being within strolling distance of all amenities the city centre has to offer including shops, bars, restaurants and an array of transport facilities. Nearby educational, social and cultural amenities include National Concert Hall, Trinity College, Grafton Street and Merrion Square, being home to institutions such as Leinster House, the Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Ireland. It is also within walking distance of both Grand Canal Dock and the IFSC. The Harcourt LUAS stop is just a short walk and numerous bus routes serve the area.
Over the years, Harcourt Terrace attracted artistic sorts including artist Sarah Purser, who resided at number 11 between 1887 and 1909. Here Purser – whose work is part of the national collection – operated a noted studio that was often visited by the likes of Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne, poet WB Yeats and playwright and republican Edward Martyn. More revolutionary rumblings happened around 1920, when Mary Flannery Woods of Cumann na mBan purchased a safe house for a leading figure in the struggle for Irish independence, Michael Collins.
Irish Historic Houses 