Drake Lodge a large family residence

FRANCIS DRAKE is said to have hidden from the pursuing Spanish Armada around the wending and wooded sections of the Owenabue river in Cork harbour many centuries ago.

As a result of his forced visit to the hidden upriver spot, it now bears the name Drake's Pool and today's sailors still cherish its sheltering qualities. Drake's Pool is on the way to Crosshaven (yachting Nirvana for many) from Carrigaline, about a 10 mile drive from Cork city and a mile from Crosshaven's marinas and Royal Cork Yacht Club.

Up for sale at this spot is Drake Lodge, a 1977-built large family home in fact it has 3,600 sq ft of space now thanks to a recent first floor addition to the long, low original brick faced home.

It comes with two acres of naturalistic grounds, part woodland, part lawns and strategically placed terraces, and it has its own boat mooring across the road as well.

It is on the market with Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing estate agents, who guides it at €730,000, and who comments "it is a real family home, and one you'll never need to extend. There is so much space and nearly all of the rooms are good large sizes as well."

He expects buying interest, not only from Carrigaline and the harbour area, but from city families as well, and the proximity to the water points towards a boat-owning family keen to put down anchor here.

The house has three ground level bedrooms, plus a large master bedroom and adjoining guest bedroom (both en suite) at a first floor level added on in the last few years and which took the long, drawn out look off the original house. The overhead addition, more or less mid-ships, also opened up a high ceilinged hall and feature staircase.

Rooms include a big office/study with bow window and bathroom off it, a large lounge measuring 25' by 17' , separate dining room off via archways, good sized family room, kitchen, utility and ground level bathroom.

Drake Lodge is a well-kept home with oil heating, PVC double glazing, grounds, a mooring, and a wet room for hosing down the sailing gear and drenched sailors.