Residence with an Iberian aura

Rose Martin

This has usually been a bungalow, which, while much maligned by the chattering classes, has worked here for millenia and in it’s simplest form, is attractive and unobtrusive.

In the case of this house at Bleanorain, Moycullen in Co Galway, the owners had to revise their more ambitious plans to fit in with the vernacular.

The house is modest and plain on the outside but as an object lesson in what you can do within tight parameters, it’s a great example.

The interior turns the whole traditional theme on its head to create a massive, 3,800 sq ft residence with a Spanish colonial feel.

It’s hardly conceivable when looking at the outside, but the space comes from extending to two gables at the rear.

This allows space for the main lounge in one and a double garage in the other: both of which are stone-faced. It could also be said that this is the more attractive facade.

Roof lights, wide windows and double doors create an open-plan living space that’s very bright.

The ambient light is helped by wide arches which opens up the space while still creating psychological divisions.

One of the most attractive feature here is the integrated sunroom which comes mid-way in the length of house and carries in the stone from outside creating a break in the neutral colour scheme of the ground floor.

Overhead, the cut away landing sheds more light and a cast iron Juliet balcony adds a hispanic flourish to the dining area below.

Antique furniture is used for the dining suite and the contrast with the modern styling works well.

The kitchen area is fitted around the right hand end of the living space and comes with white units and granite worktops. A walk-in pantry and utility room are through a small arch as well as a door to the double garage and the ground floor bathroom.

The smaller living room of 15ft by 13ft is linked to the kitchen and entrance hall, while the main lounge is at the opposite end of the house.

Both rooms come with a stone-faced firebreast, the living room has a gas fire and the lounge of 21’ by 16’ has a wide log fire with heavy pine mantle.

The flooring throughout the ground floor is in stone-finish tiles with heating underneath.

Upstairs, warm wool carpets are used to create warm bedrooms. The master suite includes a four-pane roof light at one end and a sitting room at the other with a door to a classically designed ensuite with walls finished in marble: it also comes with plenty of storage space and has dimensions of 28ft by 16ft measures. Bedrooms three and four share an ensuite bathroom and bedroom four is on the ground floor and comes with a shower room.

Built in 2002 with an emphasis on quality, this house has extra high insulation levels, a pressurised heating system and electric controls and timers for the entire house.

It’s almost directly onto Lough Corrib at Knockferry where a new ferry to Headford is expected next spring.

And this is why most of the rooms here have splendid views. The good news is that these can now be bought through Amanda Percy of Spencer Auctioneers.

She is currently selling this house for offers in the region of E625,000 including a site of just over half an acre of landscaped gardens.

Just 14 miles from Galway, it could appeal to well-heeled commuters and offers a top quality house in a restricted area for home buyers.