Tirano a period original in the city at a tempting price

A MID-1800s house builder was so taken with his Italian honeymoon that he named the next half dozen or so houses that he went on to build after the lakes and villages that he had visited.

Glorious romantic days at Tirano are recalled in this Cork residence, a fine tall, well-kept, well-bred and well-extended family home that straddles city and suburban living.

Location is Victoria Road, opposite Kennedy Park, about 10 minutes on foot from City Hall, perhaps 15 minutes to Patrick’s Street. It is close enough to walk home to for a spot of light lunch.

Tirano is a period original: no matter what comes to be built nearby in the next couple of decades you won’t recreate the character of previous centuries.

Guided at €900,000 by joint agents Cohalan Downing and Hamilton Osborne King, it is a smartly-kept, expensively rehabilitated home.

It has six bedrooms, or five plus study, and the surprises start from the front door in: it is a house of amazing depth.

You can peer past the long entrance hall, with original Victorian tiling, into the extended Irish ash kitchen, but the real shock is the fact the space doesn’t stop there: there’s a family/music room beyond again, with utility and guest WC alongside.

Also on the ground floor are two impressive reception rooms, with working stripped pine shutters and connecting double doors.

Overhead is a fine large master bedroom, second bedroom, and off the wide return are a bedroom and main bathroom with twin sinks in a granite surround, and a raised niche Jacuzzi bath with granite surround. The top floor has three more bedrooms, plus smart shower room. Tirano has gas heating, double glazing, lots of parking in front (the garden has been paved over) and there’s a compact courtyard behind, with side access - no need here for a lawnmower.