Hiding its light under a bushel

This unique home is both accessible and unspoilt, a rare combination. Rose Martin reports

The amount of improvement work going in two adjoining properties may give some idea of the value of this location at Cannon’s Cross, Cork.

Set in the delightfully wooded Lee Valley, but only minutes to Ballincollig, the area is both accessible and unspoilt.

And while larger properties have been the market offerings here for some time, this month sees a new, relatively affordable entrant at Carrignaveen.

A modest bungalow at first glance, this house hides its light under a bushel because it sits on a private peak with 1.2 acres of land dropping down below it to the road, from where it’s obscured by tall trees. But at the top and at the entrance to the house, the visitor can appreciate the little touches that mark this property out — indications that it’s been architect-designed.

Internally, it has an excellent layout too, making the most of the due south orientation and the outstanding wood and valley views. It has three bedrooms, a very large living room, kitchen/ dining room, utility, fuel store room linking to the garage, which is a decent size and could be subsumed into the main dwelling, as a short route to expansion. But even as it stands, this house has room in all the right places.

There’s scope to increase in any direction, and even to build another property on the grounds if applicants are suitably qualified.

The little bungalow will need upgrading, it’s a 60s build and while The structure appears fine, but it will need swaddling in insulation.

But really and truly, this is one of those houses that has to be viewed to be appreciated. — and don’t try a drive-by either — you’d kill yourself. The windy, wooded road is a bane to fast drivers, but it’s what protects this valley and the houses which discreetly pocket the woodland above it — anyone looking for an original one-off with lots of privacy and ultra mature grounds, should check it out. Robert O’Keeffe of Irish and European is the man to contact.

VERDICT:

A sleeping beauty.