Forster Street House is a Victorian residence over 3 storeys providing extensive quality accommodation laden with original features and full of character and charm.

Built circa 1838 the house has played an important role in the historical, cultural and business development of Galway City. One of its early residents was Mr. Charles French Blake – Forster who was High Sheriff of Galway and he published many important histories and documents on Galway and helped develop it has as the commercial centre on Irelands West Coast. It has been in the ownership of the current vendors family since the mid 1920's and again their family further enhanced Galway's cultural and commercial credentials.

The building is an imposing two storey over garden level detached residence with steps leading to a fine front entrance door with fan light. There are cast iron ornate railings at front. The front door opens into an impressive hall with high ceiling, original coving and features open fireplace with marble surround. This leads to inner hall which leads to the two main reception rooms which are to the rear of the building facing southeast overlooking the magnificent gardens. These beautiful bright rooms
still retain the character and charm and benefit from high ceiling with coving, ceiling roses, beautiful fireplaces and large picture windows overlooking the gardens. The dining room is also accessed off inner hall and carries similar attributes to the main reception rooms.

The kitchen was extended in the late 1970's and a conservatory was added more recently. Also on this ground floor level is the study/library which again is a character filled room.

The beautiful stairwell with picture window leads to the first floor and spacious landing. There are five bedrooms on the first floor, four of which are double rooms and one smaller single room. The main bedroom is a dual aspect room overlooking the gardens to the side and rear with ensuite bathroom. The main bathroom is also on this first floor level. The high ceiling, picture windows with shutters and ornate coving cornices run throughout this level.

On the lower ground floor there are a variety of rooms, to include two large games/play rooms with access to rear patio/garden, a utility room, 3 store rooms and a fuel store and there is a shower room and toilet.

Forster House has been very well maintained and cared for by the current owners and provides comfortable quality accommodation. Many of the rooms are dual aspect and all have large picture windows which overlook the beautiful gardens to front, sides and rear. The original features of high ceiling, ornate cornice, original doors, architraves and in places flooring and feature fireplaces combine to make it the special property it is.

LOCATION:

Forster Street House accessed via electronic cast iron gated entrance and is surrounded by mature gardens directly off Forster Street which leads to and is 300 meters from Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City Centre.

Galway City is the largest urban centre and key economic hub in the West of Ireland. Galway is the fourth largest city in the state with a population of 85,910 persons as per the 2022 Census, while there are ambitious targets set for population growth in Project Ireland 2040 which expects the city to grow to 120,000.

Galway is a vibrant bohemian city, with a long medieval history and is renowned for its culture. There are a number of annual events that drive tourism which include the Galway Arts Festival, the Oyster Festival and the Galway Races.

Galway City boasts first class third level education opportunities in University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University, with both acting as anchors to the many major multinational companies based in the City, as well as a host of new start ups.

This central city location means it benefits from close proximity to all the main transport links. Ceannt Train Station and the main Bus station are less than a 5-minute walk to the property. While the property has a superb central location its established gardens offer total peace, privacy and a tranquil retreat from city life.
ACCOMMODATION:Entrance Hall: Tiled flooring, fireplace with marble surround, brick inset and brass fittings. Door to kitchen, storage press. High ceiling, ornate coving and central ceiling rose.

Inner Hall: Carpet floor covering, ornate coving. Feature stair wells to first floor and basement level with picture windows.

Living Room: Carpet flooring, feature black marble fireplace with brass inlaid tiling. Picture window overlooking rear garden.

Drawing Room: Carpet flooring, wall paper, feature black marble fireplace with brass inlaid tiles. Dual aspect room with picture windows overlooking gardens to side and rear.

Study: Carpet flooring, open fireplace with timber surround and marble inset. Dual aspect room to front and sides. Built in desk with storage press and book shelving.

Dining Room: Carpet flooring, black marble surround fireplace with inlaid brass tiles, dual aspect room overlooking rear gardens and double doors to conservatory.

Conservatory: Double glazed conservatory, tile flooring, double doors to side, sliding door to kitchen.

Kitchen: Amtico flooring, fitted kitchen units with marble worktops, built in oven and dishwasher, side porch and access to breakfast room.

Breakfast Room: Amtico flooring, door to hall, window to front.

First Floor:

Landing: Carpet flooring, ornate ceiling, picture window on stairwell.

Bedroom 1: Carpet flooring, built in drawers, window to front, wash hand basin.

Bedroom 2: Carpet flooring, wash hand basin, window to front.

Bathroom: Fully tiled floor and walls, wc, wash hand basin, bath with electric shower and shower screen. Sliding door to airing press.

Bedroom 3 (Main): Carpet flooring, large bright dual aspect room with windows overlooking gardens to side and rear.

En Suite: Sink unit with cabinets, shower, wc.

Bedroom 4: Carpet flooring, built in wardrobes and shelving, window overlooking rear garden, shared en suite with bedroom 5.

Bedroom 5: Carpet flooring, large bright dual aspect room.

En Suite: Jack & Jill en suite with bedroom 4, wc, wash hand basin, shower.

Basement Level:

Hall: Vinyl tiles, under stairs toilet and shower.

Games Room: Laminate flooring, raised hearth open fireplace, dual aspect room with windows to side and rear. Door to rear patio, sliding doors to play room.

Play Room: Laminate floor, window overlooking rear, door to hall.

Utility Room: SSSU with presses, worktop space, plumbed for washing machine and dryer, door to rear. Oil boiler for central heating, hot water storage tank.

Store 1: Built in shelving, window to front.

Store 2: Fuel store, window to front.

Store 3: Built in presses and shelving, window to front.

Store 4: Built in wardrobes, used as bedroom, window to front.

GARDENS:
Front Garden: Concrete boundary wall to the front. Sandstone pillars with cast iron electronic vehicular and pedestrian entrance gates to tarmac-adam drive lead to front of house with parking for a number of vehicles. Natural stone kerbing to shrub beds and mature birch and sycamore trees. Raised lawn with central and boundary shrub beds. There are two gated side accesses to rear of the residence. Stone wall boundaries.
Side garden: cast iron gate, natural flag paving stone patio. Bin storage area, raised shrub beds along natural stone wall boundary. Patio area outside rear garden level of residence. Second side entrance with vehicular access via cast iron gates.
Garage to front with loft space overhead.

Rear Garden: Very mature established southeast facing gardens with an array of mature trees, lawns, shrubs and flower beds. These offer privacy, shelter and a beautiful tranquil amenity. Paths intersect the gardens with a mix of natural stone and concrete kerbing. Two lawns, mature holly hedge split the garden at rear. Timber fencing for rose bushes and two matching Pergolas on either side. A magnificent mature, private rear garden with views over Lough Atalia and out onto Galway Bay.