High-spec design with Georgian style

DUNORLAN, in Cork's Laburnum Park, is the fourth large property to bookend this spring's top end market releases in the western suburbs.

Following on a €900,000 offering on the Model Farm Road, 'Liosbán', and two detached houses on Orchard Road, on offer at €850,000 and €875,000, respectively, this property is for sale through Billy Casey of Casey and Kingston for a sum in excess of €750,000.

What's unusual about this house is that it is almost brand-new. Built ten years ago and architect-designed, it has all the benefits of a mature estate location, but will need no further investment over and above the eventual selling price.

This is a really high-spec house running to over 3,000 square feet and three storeys. Its full southerly aspect at the rear makes for a bright and sunny modern home, but in the classic style.

Here, you have off-standard mahogany joinery, top quality fittings, high ceilings and a most impressive entrance hall, with a curved mahogany gallery landing that wouldn't look out of place in a Georgian property.

To the right of the entrance hall is the formal dining room, complete with antique suite and a wall of hand-built, bookshelves with recessed lighting for atmosphere. Across the hall is the family room, a wide space with subtle, (and expensive) granite fireplace and deeply polished wooden floors. Both front-facing rooms have bay windows.

At the rear is the piece de resistance - the formal living room which, with its full south position is bathed in light and has French doors onto a wide patio.

Next door is the huge kitchen/dining room which has access directly off the hall and leads through double doors to the dining room.

This is a more relaxed space with hand-built units by Leo Linehan, and at the other end a shiny green Stanley is encased in an old brick chimney breast.

Up one flight of stairs are three of the house's five bedrooms. The master is a full suite at one side with a majestic bathroom that is the equivalent of a standard bedroom in size. This has separate access off the main landing and leads through to the dressing room and then to the south-facing bedroom, which comes with an antique bedroom suite.

Two of the adjoining bedrooms share a full bathroom and both are in superb condition, with a second floor almost like an independent republic.

Off the landing is a TV room, recreation area and two bedrooms at either side with a main bathroom and one en-suite bedroom.

The larger of the two rooms is divided into a sleeping and study area, with built-in bookshelves and the second is a large, square room that accommodates a double bed, occasional furniture and the en-suite.

Despite its size, Dunorlan still manages to have a good garden to the rear and, like the rest of the house, will need just a little maintenance to keep it in good order.