Tommy Barker discovers a haven in a stunningly picturesque location yet on a city’s doorstep.

Belgooly, Cork €479,000

Rochestown Road, Cork €550,000

THE outside might look like a conventional, albeit upmarket dormer bungalow — but the delight is in the detail. Built for his own ends by craftsman joiner John Desmond, Ballady Lodge, on its acre site, near Belgooly, in Co Cork, is a place where you can see the woods, and the trees.

HOT on the heels of last week’s sale announcement of a large farm at Mourneabbey, Co Cork comes news of the sale of a similar holding close to Cork city.