Castlepark close to beach near Kinsale
Designed by UK architect Denis Anderson and built in 1972, the scheme had a second phase added on about a quarter of a century later, bringing the tally of homes here to over two dozen.
It is a mile or so around the harbour, and over the bridge from Kinsale town, and Castlepark itself now has the Dock pub and restaurant, guest accommodation and a yacht marina. Ancient James Fort is to its back, and the views from some of Castlepark’s houses take in Charles Fort over by Summercove. And the beach is close enough to run to before breakfast.
New to the market is no 2, Castlepark, one of the original of the species, and going under the obvious name Beach House, as it is the closest to the water with a sandy beach across a strip of cummunal gardens.
It was owned for most of its life by Tony Hill, who first built Castlepark as its developer and kept what was probably the best of the bunch for his own enjoyment.
The original house designs were definitely ahead of their time, with high vaulted ceilings, unevenly pitched roofs and slate hung walls - the sort of features still seens as contemporary by today’s crop of home designers.
Beach House has, however, had internal modifications done by the present owners, who bought it in the early 1990s: they capitalised on the open spaces, putting in an upper floor, a move which lost cubic feet but gained square feet, so that it now has four/five bedrooms.
Beach House is on the market with joint agents Johnny O’Flynn of Colliers Jackson Stops in Cork city and Sheehy Brothers in Kinsale, who seek over €500,000 for the property with scope for use as a full-time home as readily as a holiday retreat.
It has got hall, 20’ by 15’ living room, dining/sun rooms with patio access, galley style kitchen, store (for sailing or golf gear, or as a possible fifth but tiny bedroom), plus ensuite main bedroom at ground level, with three overhead bedrooms plus bathroom and attic store.
The house has been up-graded and modernised, has double glazing, but only electric storage heating at present, with an open fireplace in the living room.
Parking spaces are to the front of the development, a short walk from this beachside house, and the grounds are communal and well-kept, so the only maintenance a buyer here has to do is housework and sweeping the patio.
Meanwhile, in the greater Kinsale area, for those wishing to go it alone, O’Neill estate agents have a half acre site at Sandycove with unrestricted planning, with views of Kinsale harbour and the Sovereigns Islands. Price guide for the half acre is €300,000.
