Comfort living, estate-style

MONKEY puzzle trees are synonymous with a certain type of property.

Love ’em or hate ’em, they are a period piece in their own right and one fine specimen takes pride of place in the front garden of Ballinamona House in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Although in need of work, this is one of those attractive period properties that are almost attainable for us mere mortals. It’s compact, private, but also impressive and wouldn’t break the bank to run.

And, at the guide price of €500,000, the equivalent of detached house in the city, you get a small estate here. Ballinamona is being offered with two acres, which includes a large courtyard and two walled-in gardens.

Also, the working end of the house has a separate entrance from the main Fermoy road, soon to be bypassed, and the main entrance is off the Pike Road, a secondary route close to the town.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Already, there’s a long list of viewers, according to auctioneer Michael Barry of Fermoy, but no firm offers, as yet.

He says the property is ideal for a family as it offers three good reception rooms and four bedrooms and is a manageable size.

The home of the late Michael O’Toole, a well-known Fermoy businessman, the house was attached to a farm, but just two acres and the outbuildings, along with the house, are now being offered for sale.

The remaining land is zoned residential and this will be developed over the next few years, but there is strip of land between the property and the zoned area.

This would allow new owners to grow a shelter belt of trees and protect the privacy of the property, the agent suggests.

With its large courtyard, Ballinamona is ideal for those looking to work from home as the outbuildings provide plenty of storage and convertible office space. And, there’s also enough room for a pony or two.

The main house has some superb features, not least the Edwardian-style windows which flank the front aspect. Entrance is via a glass porch to the side leading to the main hallway.

Rooms are ranged around this space and include a living room of 14’ by 17’ with bay window, period fireplace and ceiling coving. The lounge has a cast iron fireplace and has French doors to an attached greenhouse. There’s a separate dining room of 20’ by 13’ with bay window and antique fireplace and a kitchen of 14’ by 11’. Off the kitchen is a separate utility and a walk-in pantry.

The upper level has a master bedroom of 13’ by 16’ with cast iron fireplace and two other double rooms and a single room. A walk-in hotpress is located here and the main bathroom comes with power shower and full bath. A back stairs leads to the attic area of 11’ by 7’, which would once have been the maid’s room.

Although the house hasn’t been lived in for over a year, and will need some work, it’s in good condition overall, says Michael Barry, and is just on the perimeter of Fermoy town, offering the best of both worlds to potential purchasers.