Going flat out for the best views in Ireland

Tommy Barker is impressed with the vista from Minden Hill.

VIEWS like those stretching out from Minden Hill - think Paul Henry landscapes - would sell almost any property, but this is a house that refuses to play second fiddle to a view.

Modern in origin, this flat-roofed 1970s bungalow has just been given a second going over to bring it slap-bang up to date - and to grab every view going.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors were the smart way to flood this home with light and to draw in the vista of Bantry Bay, with Whiddy Island, Beara's peninsula and Caha and Miskish hills, viewed in relief as a backdrop to the bay with its lattice-work of mussel beds.

Minden Hill got its first property market viewings this week, and is set to be a bit of show-stopper for estate agent Henry O'Leary of the Property Partners franchise in Clonakilty: he has gone overboard on his website (www.hol.ie) with this one, packing in the photos and virtual tours to lure in the bidders.

And, he doesn't over-egg the guide price, placing this c1,700 sq ft Bantry home at the starter's grid at €575,000, and admitting its new owners could come from anywhere or any buying category.

Location is two miles from Bantry off the Glengarriff road, and Cork city, airport and ferry port are about 90 minutes away.

The acre of grounds are private, notes Mr O'Leary, with quite extensive flagged and paved patio areas, and there's a car port and courtyard to the far gable with store-shed for keeping tools and gardening implements in.

The kitchen, living and dining areas are all open plan and inter-linked, around a L-shape, and decor is light and neutral - nothing here to detract from the view... even the doors between the entrance hall and living room are glazed so as not to impede the view.

There's an air of confident architectural input.

Quality levels are high, with a simple open raised fireplace in brick with steel surround, the kitchen is crisp and smart with integrated appliances, white units, stainless steel handles and beech worktops, and floors almost throughout are in maple.

Heating is electric, and in terms of space there's a central hallway with skylights, utility, main bathroom, and two of the four bedrooms have en suite facilities, while the master bedroom has a patio door and views to nod of with and wake up to.