Christmas cracker

A LAST-MINUTE, end-of-year surprise arrival on the property market is Ardeevin - a manageable period home on over an acre, with sea and country views, begging for a 2005 makeover.

It also cries out for that seaside designer accessory, the telescope in a bay window.

Location is by Goat’s Cross and near Fennell’s Bay, one of the coastal coves beyond Crosshaven and the mouth of Cork harbour, and the two-storey house with period trimmings dates back to 1874.

The area, within a few minutes and a couple of miles of Crosshaven village, is now an uberchic location for year-round family living and Cork city is an easy daily commute.

However, chances to buy houses here are usually limited to bungalows or former summer chalets, often on tiny sites, and even those make handsome money before necessary renovations and extensions begin.

Ardeevin has much more, however, as it is two-story, detached, has views, and a decent bit of ground (1.2 acres) as well.

It has been in the same family’s ownership since the early 1900s, says Pierce Cuthbert of Property Choice, who guides it at an almost modest-seeming €620,000-plus.

It does, he stresses, need work throughout and modernising, but there is much to work on as well to lure down the big spenders who won’t be put off by builders’ bills once they get what they want.

It is private, with a screening approach avenue, is close to the local rectory (and looks like a rectory itself in design terms) and the 1.2 acres are wooded, and at one time even sported a lawn tennis court.

The house has three large reception rooms, four bedrooms, almost all with period fireplaces and original doors and wood floors, kitchen, pantry, and conservatory, and many of the rooms have sea or harbour views.

The views are best from the upper floor, given the maturity now of the grounds, and the master bedroom would make a fine living room, suggests Mr Cuthbert.

Those views sweep through the harbour to Cobh, and out to Roches Point and the oceans - just the sort of thing to attract a wealthy yachting family who can keep a weather eye on the sailing conditions and spot who’s taken a day off work for a trip around the harbour.

The small conservatory/porch has PVC glazing, and the house has oil heating, but a generous budget will be needed to get it ship-shape to a new owner’s expectations.