For almost a century, No 186 Upper Salthill has stood proudly at the edge of Galway Bay, a graceful end-of-terrace period home built in 1930. Today, thanks to a remarkable renovation, it is not only a fine example of Galway’s architectural heritage but a bold statement in modern design – so much so that it featured on Home of the Year 2024. Now being offered for sale through James Heaslip of DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard, this three bedroom residence offers 140 square metres of living space over three meticulously planned levels.
From the moment you step inside, the transformation is evident. The house retains the soul of its Edwardian origins – elegant proportions, considered details, and a sense of permanence – but every room hums with contemporary craftsmanship. The interiors have been designed with a perfectionist’s eye: bespoke fitted furniture in every space, steel Crittall-style doors, concrete sinks, terrazzo floors, and rich wall panelling that feels both timeless and fresh. The kitchen, a triumph in painted oak and soft natural finishes, is fitted with high-spec appliances – a Bora induction hob for precision cooking, and the ever-coveted Quooker tap for instant boiling water. It’s a space designed as much for social connection as for culinary skill, flowing into a dining area that opens onto a cedar-clad balcony with limestone paving, where the sea breeze becomes your constant dinner guest.
The ground floor also includes a warm and welcoming living room, a clever utility/boot room, and a sleek bathroom. Below, the semi-basement level brings a different atmosphere – a private retreat for guests or family, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a cosy den overlooking the terraced garden. Here, an outdoor office and bike shed double as a utility space, complete with an outdoor shower – perfect after a swim at Blackrock or a cycle along the Prom.
The top floor is reserved for the master suite, a sanctuary in every sense. The bedroom’s sea view frames each sunrise over Galway Bay, while the adjoining dressing room and bathroom bring hotel-level luxury into the daily routine.
Sustainability, too, has been woven into the home’s fabric. Air-to-water heating, PV panels, and energy-efficient fixtures make this period property as forward-looking in performance as it is in style.
What sets No 186 Upper Salthill apart is its seamless balance of contrasts: history and modernity, craftsmanship and technology, elegance and warmth. This is a home that respects its past while embracing the future – much like Galway itself.
James Heaslip commented: “In a market where location, design, and quality rarely meet in perfect harmony, this property is a rare exception. Steps from the sea, moments from Salthill’s vibrant café culture, and only a short stroll into the heart of Galway city, it offers not just a place to live, but a lifestyle to savour. For the fortunate new owner, 186 Upper Salthill will not just be a home – it will be an enduring statement of taste, comfort, and coastal beauty.”
DNG Maxwell Heaslip & Leonard is offering the property to the market with a price of €850,000. Full particulars and viewing arrangements are available from the residential sales team at 091 565261.
