Unique Waterford property, with 10 acres of woodland, on market for €1 million
Building their home back in 2002, the owners went to quite extraordinary lengths to ensure that they had woodland views to admire and privacy — by putting it right at the centre of ten acres of forest.
The ten acre site was purchased in the late 1990s by the owner of a local undertaking and corporate hire business, Jim Falconer.
Along with oak, sycamore, and birch trees he got title deeds dating back to Cromwellian times, when the area including Coolgower Woods was part of the Carew Estate.
Cutting down around 60 or 70 trees in the centre of the wood, Mr Falconer built an elongated dormer bungalow with a steeply pitched roof with walls which are two feet thick, clad entirely in granite.
He designed the house himself and got his brother, architet CJ Falconer to draw up the plans.
The planning permission was for 5,500 sq ft dormer bungalow but only the 3,000 sq ft on the ground floor has been fitted out as living space.
In the clearing around the property, the owners put a large pond where they found a natural basin, and they also built an extra large garage — and above it a 1,600 sq ft two bed Swiss cottage-style apartment.
The main residence has been finished to a very high standard with Scandinavian pine double glazed windows, oil fired under floor heating, porcelain tiled flooring, solid oak doors and 10’ high ceilings.
A double height hallway at the front leads into a huge (44’ by 22’) living/dining room with a vaulted ceiling , a marble fireplace and ceilings panelled in timber cut down from the woods when the bungalow was being built.
To the front there’s a huge floor to ceiling window looking out on to the pond and the bluebell-strewn woodland.
To the rear there’s a dining area complete with a bespoke oak bar counter where the owner keeps his collection of Irish whiskey.
Other accommodation includes a large well equipped kitchen with solid cherry wood units, integrated Neff appliances and black granite worktops with centre island unit.
The main bedroom is the size of a small apartment (460 sq ft) and has French doors leading out to a patio as well as a large walk in wardrobe and an en suite with a freestanding bath.
This extra spacious bungalow also has a utility room, a den/study, a bathroom and another three large bedrooms with carpeted floors.
Located at a distance from the bungalow, the garage has electric roller shutter doors and space for six cars.
Above it there’s a modern apartment with an open plan kitchen /dining/living area with cream kitchen units, a solid fuel stove and tiled and timber flooring.
It also has two bedrooms and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath.
Around the main residence there’s a gravelled area with seating and some shrubberies.
“There’s not a blade of grass on the entire ten acres — we wanted a maintenance free natural garden,” says Mr Falconer.
Access to Coolgower Woods, which is the name of the property as well as the location, is via a 150 yard driveway, which meanders through the woodlands.
“From the road, you would not know the property is here,” says Mr Falconer.
For a property which is at the top end of the Waterford property market Keith Palmer of Palmer Auctioneers is seeking offers of €1 million.
He says that there are very few properties of this calibre available in Waterford and that the setting amidst the woodland makes it unique.
Interest is expected from local buyers looking to trade up for luxury, privacy and woodland views.
Coolgower Woods is located around three kilometres from Waterford and eight from Tramore.
“It’s close to the outer ring road and has very good access to the Industrial Estate, the Dunmore Road, the Cork Road and the airport,’’ says Mr Palmer.
Treemendous
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