The tide has turned

TIMES change — 30 years ago, this beach-side field was the site for six small wooden chalets, frequented by visiting Dutch and Germans booking horse-drawn caravan holidays around West Cork.

Back then, it was the Continentals who had the money to splash out on such 'exotica'. Now with unprecedented prices being paid for second and even third homes by native Irish families, this 1.6 acre plot tucked low into the folds of the landscape right by a beach is home to only one, just-built 2,300 sq ft home with a €1 million price tag.

However, you'll also get one guest chalet thrown in for free, as the last surviving original timber chalet has been re-built on its frame and foundations. Its tiny 250 sq ft or so has two tiny bedrooms, plus compact living/kitchen and a shower-room.

Buyers won't, however, just be lured by the chalet or even the well-built and appropriately styled three-bed detached house, designed to replicate a traditional two-storey farmhouse.

The location is the shining star here. It is built on the type of site where it is now nigh-on impossible to get planning permission, in a scenic setting between the road and the sea.

Exact location is beside Red Strand, on the coastal route between Clonakilty and Rosscarbery, with sunny south-western views over the popular beach to Dirk Cove and Galley Head.

Built by second-generation contractor Patrick O'Sullivan of Clonakilty-based Daytona Construction, it has the mark of attention to detail: Pat O'Sullivan junior notes that some of his crew have been 40 years working with the family firm.

Architect James O'Hea designed the dwelling on a site with several previous refusals of planning and there was input as well from McCutcheon Mulcahy planning consultants.

The low-set site, with a boundary fence next to the beach and a stream alongside, was sold only a year ago with a planning finally secured and it made a head-turning €320,000: the end result is even better than the CAD image used to promote the sale.

Joint selling agents are Jim O'Brien of CCM Property Services and Martin Kelleher of SWS Property Services.

In looking for that 'special buyer', they stress the demand for prime Clonakilty seaside property and the quality of the building. It's in three sections with an elbow-shaped linking conservatory and has views from the high-ceilinged living room with deck in front. All three bedrooms in the rear section also have views.

Features include underfloor heating downstairs, a large kitchen and large utility, central stone chimney breast and fireplace in the living/dining room, a spacious en suite master bedroom with two other bedrooms and bathroom beneath, private sheltered and sun-trap conservatory with cobbled drive, guest chalet with decked balcony site of 1.6 acres and, oh, did anyone mention the seaside setting and scarcity of similar plannings?