Olive branch held out for domestic peace at Willow Close

A perfect family home has come on the market in Carrigaline with lots of internal space and a roomy garden,

Sat, 01 Feb, 2020 - 12:00

Catherine Shanahan

Given it’s an empirically proven fact that the debate over who should wash the dishes increases relationship stress, planting an olive tree outside the kitchen window seems inspired.

This symbol of peace, with a nod to the Tuscan hills, is just what the doctor ordered to keep households on an even keel.

At No 13 Willow Close, in Ballea Woods, just such an olive tree exists. It’s one of a number of well-chosen shrubs carefully planted in a garden where the welfare of our avian friends is clearly a priority, judging by the number of birdfeeders on display.

“The lady of the house is an avid bird-watcher,” says Mark Rose, of Rose Property Services, gesturing towards a pair of binoculars on a nearby window-sill.

The lady of the house is also a big fan of Laura Ashley, attested to by the Parisian chic of bedroom wallpapers and other accessories in many of the rooms.

No 13 is in turnkey condition, beautifully maintained inside and out. It’s the perfect family home, with four bedrooms, including three doubles.

In addition to a fine kitchen-cum-dining area, it has a separate dining room that leads into a front living room with solid fuel stove.

These two rooms could easily be converted into one very large lounge.

Downstairs also houses a decent utility room, plumbed for a washing machine and dryer, with a back door leading onto the side garden.

There’s a guest bathroom, a cloakroom under the stairs, and a ‘spare’ room that functions as an office but could equally serve as a playroom.

“Basically this house has everything that people ask me about,” Mr Rose says.

There are two sets of patio doors, one from the kitchen and one from the dining room, leading to a patio, screened from the neighbours by bamboo.

Another lovely seating area in the far right-hand corner of the garden allows those with time on their hands to follow the sun.

Mr Rose says having viewed the property on Google Maps, he is satisfied that the back garden of No 13 is larger than other gardens in the area because it’s on a corner site.

The layout means it’s not hemmed in at the back by neighbouring properties.

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“You are not looking straight onto the gable end of any other homes,” Mr Rose says.

As the property is detached, there is access to the rear garden from either side of the house. The side garden outside the kitchen window also contains a shed and an outside tap.

Two of the bedrooms have a view of the back garden, while those to the front overlook a well-kept green.

These front bedrooms have windows that are larger than average “almost floor to ceiling”, Mr Rose says, with Juliette balconies.

The family bathroom is a stylish affair, with some extra legroom in the bath after the lady of the house opted for a design that doubled more effectively as shower and bath.

This same lady, family grown, is now moving closer to Cork City, back to a family property.

Interest in her Carrigaline home is strong and Mr Rose is optimistic that it won’t be on the market for long.

No 13 is just a five minute drive from Carrigaline town centre, and is close to schools and sports grounds, not least Carrigaline United football club.