Lilac Cottage is a little beauty

CASTLETOWNSHEND is in the throes of change — the first time in over 100 years.

The quaint and charming West Cork village has remained more or less the same since the writers, Somerville and Ross lived here, but in the last two years a development of holiday homes has added an influx of new, part-time residents to the village.

And it has made property even more desirable here, with a knock-on effect on prices.

Just released with auctioneer, Charles McCarthy is Lilac Cottage, an end-of-terrace Georgian house which carries a guide of €550,000.

This little beauty is fully renovated and has an end-of-row position with views over Castlehaven Harbour. And while it has been dragged up to 21st century standards, this hasn’t spoiled the overall feel of the house, says Mr McCarthy.

It still has interesting nooks and crannies.

It also comes with a walled-in, south facing back garden that’s a delight he says and overlooking this lawned area is a conservatory running along the back of the house with an old wisteria providing high summer shade.

Inside, the house offers four good bedrooms over the first and second storeys and at ground floor level, a range of living rooms.