Wide open spaces and a builder’s finish

INITIALLY, families trading up the property ladder wanted more room for the children. Now, in affluent Ireland, the children in question want land for their ponies.

A house to fit the bill is in Ballinascarthy in west Cork, the birth place of one Henry Ford, and close enough too to Lisselane, the home turf of Cheltenham winner Imperial Call.

The house’s three acres will be the key to its appeal for buyers, according to estate agents Henry O’Leary Property Partners: “It’s increasingly hard to find new homes on this much ground,” observes Mr O’Leary.

The site is elevated, with almost 360-degree views of the countryside, and the setting is rural, but not isolated, he says. He anticipates interest from families relocating from England and from local buyers.

The setting is two miles from Ballinascarthy which is on the main Cork/Clonakilty road. There’s a back road via Lyre which puts Clon akilty within a four or five mile drive. Cork city and airport are a 40-50 minute journey by car.

The house in question is newly built, and left with what’s usually called “a builder’s finish.” That means that the new owners will have to install a kitchen, finish the decorating, choose tiling and flooring etc. The upside is a stamp duty saving for qualifying buyers.

The builder is Jerry O’Sullivan, who has built in Bandon as well as a number of one-offs in the vicinity.

The completed house has five bedrooms and 2,300 sq ft of space, including sitting room, a very large sun room, kitchen/dining, living room, utility and guest bathroom and two of the first-floor bedrooms have en-suites.

The house has a stone facade, oil heating, and double glazing. All the kids have to do is build the stables.