Green Shutters stunner

NO prizes for guessing the name - an open and shut case, this Ardmore seaside home has been called Green Shutters for decades.

It is of the most recognisable houses in the west Waterford seaside enclave with its emblematic Round Tower. The strong clapboard beach-house feel at Green Shutters has been maintained by a series of caring owners, and comes up for sale in ready-to-holiday-in condition.

With 2,800 sq ft of space, five double bedrooms, a large one-third acre site and an enviable elevated position overlooking Ardmore's long sandy beach, its purchase will be a coup for some lucky family.

Add to that Ardmore's landscape attractions, its kudos for Tidy Town and Entente Florale wins, and the guide price of €950,000 with agent Noelle Morrison in Cork city explains itself. It may even be well surpassed, once the serious guns go a-bidding on this rare property.

Picturesque Ardmore, an early monastic settlement dating to the 4th century, has lured holiday makers for decades, many coming back through the generations. They'll all recognise Green Shutters instantly; it has that handsome kerb-appeal look and charm.

The charisma is carried through inside too, from stem to stern, with wood-panelled rooms looking right at home in this push-the-boat-out maritime-themed home.

Dating most likely back to the early 1900s - the vendors are unsure, given the way it has been altered over time - it is a large two-storey home, with five double bedrooms all finished in pine sheeting, with a solid stone anchor or base at ground level, and seasoned exterior wood cladding at the upper level.

Comfort levels are high, thanks to all the wood. There is central heating and solid fuel stoves plus open fireplaces, and a colour theme runs through the horizontally-hung pine sheeting, much of it colour washed, limed or bleached.

Internally, there's a room-sized hallway with wide stairs and storage underneath, living room with bay window and French doors to the garden, similar sized 19' by 13' dining room, a 31' by 13' kitchen/dining room with striking blue units, cast iron stove in an alcove, guest WC, large utility for shedding wet-weather sailing or angling gear, with boiler, and a big garage with sauna to thaw the bones after a stormy afternoon's walk on Ardmore's Cliff Path.

Outside, there's a hot tub in the grounds, decking in sections and the grounds are broken up in divisions with different characters. There's plenty of parking - room for cars, vans, 4X4s, boats, jet skis and trailers.

Most of the first-floor windows at Green Shutters have been replaced with PVC double glazing for snugness, some more original timber windows were preserved at the lower level, and there's oil-fired central heating.

Roll on summer.