Cúchulainn House’s journey from licensed trade to snug domesticity

ONCE a bar, the Innishannon area home Cuchulainn House went from licensed trade use in the 1960s to snug domestic usage, where it has stayed ever since.

About a mile from the popular wooded valley village between Cork city and Bandon, Cuchulainn House is a place steeped in local history and lore.

Built in 1860, for many years it was known as May Nan’s, a popular back-road bar and understood to have been a Beamish tied-house.

The proprietor May Nan died in the 1960s, it ‘went private’ in 1970, and has had three different owners in situ in 30 years.

It packs a lot of character features, such as stone Inglenook fireplace in the 19’ by 15’ lounge, beamed ceilings, slate floors in the hall and utility and water features in the one-third of an acre garden, including a waterfall with ceramic sculpture art work and a pond.

Just on the market with Ann O’Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald auctioneers who gives it a E335,000 price guide, it is likely to catch the eye of anyone looking for a country lifestyle move, yet staying within safe distance of the big city lights of Cork, about ten miles away.

The 1,950 sq ft two-storey house is long and narrow, and was extended to one end, so that it now has up to four first floor bedrooms, and two sets of stairs serving them.

Living quarters include the very attractive lounge, a family room, kitchen/dining with elm hardwood units including a large built-in around the double size gas cooker.

Central heating is by gas, the house has double glazing, and the current owner who is from Australia has up-graded the interior in the last few years, including putting in the new kitchen, as well as installing a rear deck wrapping around the feature pond.