Thatch the way to do it

VIGO LODGE is an unusual property for a number of reasons, the most obvious being the roof — it’s thatched.

However, two storey 20th century properties don’t normally come with a straw topping so in a sense, this house is a rarity.

It sits on a lovely, mature site of a third of an acre on the perimeter of the Burren at Corofin. Set in Clare’s lakeland, Vigo Lodge has sweeping views of the countryside and lakes.

Which is why, considering its guide price and lyrical charm, it could be eyed up as a permanent or occasional home. The property is for sale through Philip O’Reilly of Philip O’Reilly Property Partners for offers in the region of E345,000.

One of its other main selling points is that you can’t buy the attributes that come with houses like this, it takes time, and it’s what gives older properties the edge when it comes to atmosphere.

Here you have the hobbity-looking facade blending with some fine fixtures and fittings. The contradictory house has all the period trimmings such as slate fireplaces with copper hoods, picture rails in the reception rooms, bay windows, original doors and cases, and a sunroom/porch entrance. And whoever the architect was, he must have been influenced by the English Domestic Revival movement which championed thatch, mullions and exposed beams.

In 21st century terms, thatch is an ideal, sustainable and renewable material and it also has high insulation properties. The roof needs to be reinstated on average about every 20 years and owners get a grant for replacement.

But Vigo Lodge also comes with some fine 21st century touches, like a huge dressing room and en suite in the master bedroom, a modern, fitted kitchen, central heating and hot showers.

And while there are just three bedrooms, all doubles, there’s plenty of living space here.

Entrance is via a sunroom to the front which leads into the main entrance hallway with its understairs storage cupboards. Here, the largest room is the dining room of nearly 20’ by 12’ which comes with an ornate slate fire piece: Next is a small study of 12’ by 6’ which, like a lot of the rooms, comes with a quarry tiled floor.

The family room also, and this has a painted white fireplace with solid fuel stove and dimensions of 14’ by 12’ leading onto a small storage lobby and ground floor bathroom.

The kitchen is fitted in pine with granite worktops, integrated appliances and some nice decorative touches: it measures 14’ by 10’ and comes with a good-sized, fully plumbed utility.

Upstairs, the master bedroom hogs all the good features. In the first place, It’s a very big room and has a wide windows overlooking the lake and incorporating a window seat. You can sit and ponder here or else take long luxurious baths in the en suite bedroom and then on to the dressing room which comes with built-ins, recessed lighting and a theatrically lit, wall mounted mirror.

Also included is a garage, a boiler house and the kind of higher-level barbecue that comes built-in with stove doors for the odd bit of tandoori.

The garden includes mature maple and fir trees, herbaceous and shrub beds, a flagged patio and a rockery.

Oil and solid fuel heating is installed.