4 Bruce's Terrace, Upper Dargle Road, Bray, Co. WicklowA98C850
€445,000
2 Bed~1 Bath~75 m²~BER E2
What you'll like:
- Period charm: The property dates from c. 1920 and features appealing architectural details like an exposed brick wall, hardwood flooring, and cast iron fireplaces that create a warm, inviting atmosphere for buyers.
- Dual reception rooms: Having both a dedicated living room and an additional sitting dining room gives occupants flexible living space, which is rare and highly desirable in homes of this vintage and floor area.
- Off-street parking: The gravelled driveway provides secure off-street parking for one car right at the front of the house, offering immense convenience along an established residential road.
- Walkable town center: Positioned just a short walk from Bray Town Centre, Main Street, and Castle Street Shopping Centre, residents enjoy effortless access to a wide range of daily retail and dining options.
- Proximity to amenities: The nearby Florentine Shopping Centre, local schools, and the expansive People's Park all sit within comfortable walking distance, significantly enhancing everyday lifestyle quality and family appeal.
- Coastal lifestyle access: A convenient 15-minute walk brings residents to the renowned seafront, harbour, and Victorian Promenade, allowing easy enjoyment of scenic walks and local eateries along Strand Road.
- Excellent commuter links: Frequent bus services on Castle Street and the nearby DART station provide fast public transport access, while the N11, M11, and M50 corridors ensure swift journeys for motorists.
- Gated side access: A secure gated side passageway connects the front driveway to the rear garden, providing practical utility for bringing in bicycles, bins, and garden equipment without entering the house.
- Low maintenance garden: The rear courtyard-style garden is neatly laid with gravel, presenting a private outdoor space that requires minimal ongoing upkeep and weeding for busy homeowners.
- Spacious main bedroom: Spanning the full width of the front of the house, the expansive primary bedroom features dual windows and a charming fireplace, creating a bright and generous personal retreat.
- Modern kitchen fittings: The rear kitchen efficiently incorporates attractive blue cabinetry, marble-effect countertops, and an integrated oven with a gas hob, delivering a stylish and functional cooking environment.
- Cozy stove inset: The second reception room features a cast iron fireplace equipped with a stove inset, offering efficient supplementary warmth and a cozy focal point during colder winter months.
- Useful utility room: Positioned at the end of the ground floor corridor, the dedicated utility space keeps laundry appliances neatly tucked away from the main living and dining zones.
- Stable asking price: The recorded listing history shows the asking price has remained stable at €445,000 without erratic fluctuations, potentially indicating a realistic initial pricing strategy by the vendor.
- Deceptive proportions: Extending to approximately 75 square meters, the layout feels surprisingly roomy inside due to an intelligent spatial arrangement that maximizes the available footprint effectively.
- Natural light influx: Dual windows in the large primary bedroom and smart room placements help draw natural light deep into the home, reducing daytime reliance on artificial indoor lighting.
- Established neighborhood: Bruce's Terrace is a mature, settled residential enclave along the Upper Dargle Road, offering a strong sense of community and long-standing neighborhood stability for future occupants.
- Attractive blue cabinetry: The custom blue finish on the kitchen presses adds a contemporary splash of color that complements the marble-effect countertops and brightens the overall ground floor aesthetic.
- Tiled shower room: The first-floor bathroom is attractively tiled and efficiently houses a shower enclosure, wash hand basin, and W.C. right next to the secondary bedroom for maximum convenience.
- Clear layout structure: The clearly defined separation between the front living room, central hallway spaces, and rear dining room provides distinct functional zones for modern daily living needs.
But keep in mind:
- Poor energy rating: The property holds an E2 BER rating, which indicates poor thermal efficiency and signals that the buyer should budget for significant insulation and heating upgrades.
- High energy consumption: With an energy performance indicator of 376.18 kWh/m²/year, the home will likely generate high heating bills and require substantial fabric improvements to reduce its carbon footprint.
- Limited bedroom count: Offering only two bedrooms with one single and one double, the property may quickly feel restrictive for growing families or buyers needing multiple home offices.
- Compact second bedroom: Measuring approximately 2.38m by 2.45m, the second bedroom is quite small and might only comfortably accommodate a single bed or a cramped home office setup.
- Single bathroom constraint: The house features only one bathroom located upstairs next to the second bedroom, which could create morning bottlenecks for family members and visiting guests alike.
- Aged heating system: Relying on gas-fired central heating in a 1920s structure with an E2 energy rating suggests the boiler and radiators should be thoroughly inspected by a qualified heating engineer.
- Compact kitchen footprint: Measuring roughly 2.21m by 1.93m, the kitchen is on the smaller side and offers limited countertop workspace for avid home cooks or large-scale meal preparation.
- Upstairs bathroom location: Having the sole shower room on the upper floor means guests must traverse private sleeping quarters to use facilities, or rely entirely on ground-floor compromises.
- Potential retrofit costs: Bringing an E2-rated period home up to modern comfort standards will likely require substantial capital expenditure on external wall insulation, upgraded glazing, and heating controls.
- Period maintenance liabilities: Dating from c. 1920, the structure may harbor hidden maintenance issues typical of older homes, such as damp, outdated wiring, or roof integrity concerns requiring specialist survey checks.
- Limited garden space: The rear courtyard is entirely gravelled and lacks traditional lawn space, which may disappoint buyers looking for a lush green garden for children or pets to enjoy.
- Parking restriction: While off-street parking for one car is provided, the single-car gravelled driveway offers zero flexibility for multi-car households or visiting guests trying to park nearby.
- Single-pane or older glazing: Buyers should carefully verify the age and thermal performance of all windows, as older frames in period homes frequently let in drafts and contribute to heat loss.
- Upvc and ventilation checks: Due to the age of the structure, the buyer should investigate whether adequate trickle vents and modern damp-proof courses are installed to prevent condensation buildup.
- Party wall considerations: As an end-of-terrace property, any future extensions or structural modifications will require careful consideration of party wall boundaries and local planning regulations.
- Traffic noise potential: Situated along the Upper Dargle Road, the property may experience varying degrees of passing vehicular traffic noise during peak commuting hours that buyers should personally assess.
- Stagnant price context: While the asking price has remained unchanged at €445,000, buyers should investigate local comparable sales to ensure this figure accurately reflects current neighborhood market values.
- Roof insulation unknowns: The extent and depth of attic insulation remain unverified in the listing details, meaning the buyer must inspect the roof space to gauge potential heat loss above.
- Limited storage capacity: Aside from standard room dimensions, the listing reveals minimal built-in storage or attic conversion options, which could necessitate investing in custom wardrobes or external sheds.
- Drainage and plumbing review: Given the vintage 1920s construction era, a comprehensive CCTV drain survey and plumbing inspection are strongly recommended during pre-purchase due diligence to catch legacy pipe issues.
Price positioning
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- The asking price of €445,000 appears slightly elevated relative to historical transactions on the same street and wider area context, reflecting ambitious vendor expectations for a compact two-bedroom period property.
- Upward valuation signals stem from the charming c. 1920 character features, off-street parking, and a convenient location within walking distance of Bray town centre, local amenities, and transport links.
- Potential factors that could undermine this pricing include a weak E2 energy rating which implies future capital expenditure requirements for thermal upgrades, alongside a relatively compact 75 square metre floor area.
- The property has maintained a steady asking price since initial observation without reductions, suggesting the selling agent is currently testing buyer demand at the higher end of the local terrace market.
Build Analysis
What we know from similar construction types
- The property dates from c. 1920, representing a period end-of-terrace home with traditional solid wall construction which typically requires ongoing maintenance and careful management of moisture and ventilation.
- Features such as exposed brick walls, open fireplaces, and a stove insert should be inspected for proper flue lining, ventilation, and general compliance.
- A buyer should investigate the extent of any previous insulation upgrades, window glazing standards, and the efficiency of the gas-fired central heating system given the period nature of the build.
- Given the end-of-terrace layout with side access, any alterations or future extensions should be verified for proper planning permission and building control compliance.
Retrofit Cost*
Possible renovating / insulating expenditure
- The property has a BER rating of E2, indicating poor energy efficiency and significant potential for heat loss through walls, windows, and the roof.
- A deep retrofit to bring the home to a modern B2 or A rating would likely cost between EUR 40,000 and EUR 60,000.
- Estimated works would typically include external or internal wall insulation, roof insulation upgrades, window and door replacements to high-performance double or triple glazing, and potentially upgrading the heating system to a heat pump or high-efficiency boiler.
Heating cost*
Estimated expense to heat this property every year
- Estimated annual heating cost: approximately 1,800 euro to 2,400 euro.
- Explanation: Given the property size of 75 square metres and an E2 BER rating, energy efficiency is relatively low, leading to higher heat loss and increased gas-fired central heating usage during colder months.
Pollution Safe
8/10Environmental situation to investigate
Flood Safe
7/10Water overflow reports to follow up
- The property is situated along the Upper Dargle Road, and while general elevation is favourable, proximity to watercourses means local surface water or fluvial risks should be checked.
- Buyers are advised to consult detailed local authority flood maps and environmental reports to confirm specific property resilience.
Recent Local Sales
Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years
Sales on the same street or estate
2 BRUCES TERRACE, DARGLE RD UPPER, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €271,000.00
75 LA VALLEE, UPPER DARGLE RD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €430,000.00
18 UPPER DARGLE RD, BRAY, WICKLOW
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €300,000.00
1 LA VALLEE, UPPER DARGLE RD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €405,000.00
6 RATHMORE TERRACE, UPPER DARGLE RD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €375,000.00
Recent sales in the wider Bray area
67 LA VALLEE, DARGLE RD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €330,000.00
CARNVUE, CHURCH RD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €900,000.00
14 FR COLAHAN TERRACE, BRAY, CO WICKLOW
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €250,000.00
56 CONNOLLY SQ, BRAY, CO WICKLOW
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €335,000.00
GLENSIDE LODGE, THORNHILL ROAD, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €1,930,000.00
Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR). Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.
Last Sale
A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property
4 BRUCES TERRACE, DARGLE RD UPPER, BRAY
- Sale date
- Declared sale price
- €312,000.00
Buyer fees*
Associated expenses guide
- Estimated stamp duty: €4,450 — 1% of €445,000.
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Based on the asking price shown on this page, using standard residential stamp-duty rates. No adjustments are made for VAT, reliefs, mixed-use property or additional land. The final purchase price and your circumstances may change the amount payable.
- Solicitor legal fees: approximately 1,500 euro to 3,000 euro plus VAT and outlays.
- Land registration fees: approximately 400 euro to 800 euro depending on the property value and registry type.
- Property valuation fees: approximately 150 euro to 250 euro.
- Surveyor fees: approximately 500 euro to 1,000 euro depending on the depth of the survey.
- Annual home insurance: approximately 350 euro to 650 euro depending on the level of coverage.
Forum Talk
What people are saying about this area
- Locals on community forums frequently highlight the convenience of living near Bray town centre and the People's Park.
- Residents often discuss ongoing local transport updates, including frequent bus services on Castle Street and DART connectivity.
- Discussions on neighbourhood social channels frequently praise the charm and walkability of historical residential pockets along Upper Dargle Road.
- Community groups regularly share updates regarding local amenities, schools, and upcoming developments around the Florentine Shopping Centre.
LifeFit Assessment
How well this property may suit your lifestyle
Family
7 areas- Young Children6/10
The property is within walking distance of local schools and the expansive People's Park, making it convenient for growing families, though the two-bedroom layout is compact.
- Teenagers5/10
Proximity to Bray Town Centre and transport links offers independence for older children, but the modest 75 sq. m floor area provides limited private space for teenagers.
- Multi-generational Living3/10
With only two bedrooms and one bathroom across 75 sq. m, this home lacks the space required to comfortably house multiple generations together.
- Single Buyers8/10
A charming two-bedroom period terrace that offers manageable upkeep and a great location close to town amenities, suiting single professionals well.
- Couples8/10
Provides a warm characterful atmosphere with two reception rooms and a central location, ideal for couples starting out or downsizing.
- Empty Nesters7/10
The low-maintenance gravel courtyard and manageable size appeal to empty nesters, though buyers should verify the layout regarding single-level living potential.
- Retirees6/10
Close proximity to town amenities and the seafront is appealing, though stairs to the bedrooms and bathroom should be considered for long-term accessibility.
Work
3 areas- Remote Working7/10
The property offers flexible reception spaces that could accommodate a home office setup, though buyers should verify broadband connectivity.
- Hybrid Commuting8/10
Excellent commuter convenience with frequent bus services nearby, instant access to the N11/M11/M50 corridor, and walking distance to the DART station.
- Retired7/10
Well suited for retirees looking for low maintenance and proximity to local amenities, healthcare, and transport.
Practical
8 areas- Ageing in Place5/10
While low maintenance, the two-story layout with upstairs bathroom facilities may present challenges for long-term ageing in place without modification.
- Low Maintenance8/10
The gravelled front driveway and low-maintenance rear courtyard garden minimize exterior upkeep.
- Secure Gated Entry6/10
Features a gravelled driveway for off-street parking and gated side access to the rear garden.
- Minimalist Design5/10
The property showcases traditional period character, such as exposed brick and fireplaces, rather than a minimalist aesthetic.
- Flexible Floor Plans6/10
Offers two reception rooms providing some flexibility of use, within a compact 75 sq. m footprint.
- Heritage Home9/10
A charming end-of-terrace home dating from c. 1920, retaining lovely period features like exposed brickwork and decorative fireplaces.
- Ecological Setup4/10
Carries an E2 BER rating, indicating that energy efficiency upgrades should be investigated by the buyer.
- Outdoor areas6/10
Includes a secure off-street parking space to the front and a compact, low-maintenance gravel courtyard to the rear.
Interests
9 areas- Gardening4/10
Features a low-maintenance gravel courtyard rather than a traditional garden, offering limited space for dedicated gardeners.
- Walking9/10
Fantastic location for walking enthusiasts, with the seafront, People's Park, and town amenities all within easy walking distance.
- Gym7/10
Proximity to Bray Town Centre ensures good access to local fitness facilities and sports clubs.
- Cycling7/10
The area provides reasonable connectivity to local routes, though buyers should assess secure bicycle storage options on site.
- Golf7/10
Bray hosts a selection of well-regarded sporting and golf facilities within the wider local area.
- Fishing6/10
Proximity to the coast and the Dargle river areas offers reasonable access for fishing hobbyists.
- Horse Riding5/10
Equestrian facilities are generally located further out in the surrounding Wicklow countryside rather than immediately central.
- Water Sports8/10
The proximity to Bray's harbour and seafront makes it very convenient for water sports enthusiasts.
- Entertaining7/10
Features two distinct reception rooms and a functional kitchen leading to an outdoor courtyard, well-suited for hosting small gatherings.
Lifestyle
5 areas- Quiet Living6/10
Situated along the Upper Dargle Road with period charm, offering a relatively peaceful setting while remaining close to the town center.
- Rural Living2/10
This is an established urban-adjacent residential terrace rather than a rural setting.
- Village Living8/10
Bray Town Centre, local shops, and eateries are reachable on foot in a matter of minutes, providing a strong community feel.
- Coastal Living7/10
The renowned seafront and Victorian Promenade are a 15-minute walk away, offering excellent access to coastal walks.
- Urban Living7/10
Very convenient access to Bray's main shopping centres, transport links, and local amenities on foot.
Social
6 areas- Community Involvement7/10
Proximity to the People's Park and local community facilities supports active local engagement.
- Café Culture8/10
Bray offers a wide selection of eateries, trendy bars, and cafes along the main streets and Strand Road.
- Nightlife7/10
Good access to local pubs and restaurants within walking distance of the property.
- Health/Wellness groups7/10
Proximity to local parks and town facilities makes accessing wellness classes and groups straightforward.
- Networking Opportunities6/10
Primarily a residential area, though good transport links allow easy commuting to wider business hubs.
- Tech-Hub Connectivity6/10
Convenient transport links to Dublin support tech sector commuters, though buyers should verify local digital infrastructure.
Listing information
- Agent
- Sherry FitzGerald Bray
- Phone
- 01 286 6630
- Current status
- active
- Published on HouseDelve
- 19 October 2026
- Correction
- Report an issue
HD-874629HouseDelve · Republic of IrelandReport checks
Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.
Automated quality checks: Passed
* Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.