Charming former shop is close to town

THIS big old property at Killeens, Co Cork was once the village shop, surrounded by farmland and had a smattering of houses in its hinterland.

Now the old Blarney road which it faces onto has been bypassed and the new and very fast N20 is just an embankment away.

Houses have gradually encroached on the farmland and a there are two new estates on either side of this stout old farmhouse.

However, despite all this buzzing traffic and the city on the doorstep, there’s a certain charm here.

Killard is a sráid bhaile that’s now just five minutes from town and a whole new generation will grow up in this area over the next while.

Housing expansion, however, is held up until mains sewage comes to the area. When it does, this property will benefit as it has a one-eighth of an acre of garden to the side, which could be a valuable house site.

Right now, it’s being sold as a four-bedroomed, detached property through Vincent Clinch of F&V Sheahan and he’s inviting offers of €460,000, which he says is reasonable when the development potential and location is considered.

The house has a sunny aspect and has access on two sides from the old Blarney road to the front and off a little byroad to the rear, which makes access to a site very handy.

The property has been upgraded and comes with new PVC windows and storage heating, and is very well kept. The ground floor has a kitchen, games room/playroom, a formal dining room and a large sitting room. There are two staircases in this double-depth house and overhead are four bedrooms with one ensuite.

The ground floor games room also has an ensuite bathroom and would make a fifth bedroom if required.

Grounds includes a number of workshops and the gardens are cottagey, and what you’d expect of a house of this vintage.