Millionaire’s choice

ON a wistful West Cork wander for a country house of distinction and a bit of land to spare?

Two prime period options, each on about 20 acres, are new to the market.

One is Reendesert near Bantry, in the same hands for 20 years, the other, Mount Music near Skibbereen, a surprise re-sale guiding €2.3 million after just a year in current ownership.

Carrying a €1.5 million price guide with Micheal H Daniels and Co. is Reendesert Lodge, near Ballylickey overlooking Bantry Bay and with that vital ingredient - 500 metres of water frontage, plus a boat mooring.

The six-bed house, Georgian but with Victorian additions, has three reception rooms, staff quarters and some fine period detailing. It needs some updating.

Apart from the 5,000 sq ft six bed house, the staff quarters provides two more bedrooms and living space, there’s garaging and a barn, all on 21 acres of scenic landscape.

Also new to the market is Mount Music, originally called Bunalun, within a short inland drive of Skibbereen.

Previous owners have included an Eastern European Count and Countess and the people who put Bunalun on the map as a brand name for organic food products. It sold last year to buyers from the UK, and personal circumstances have prompted a re-sale.

Dating to 1811, it and its courtyard buildings are in pristine condition, says Peter Cave of CB Hamilton Osborne King, quoting a €2.3 million price guide for what he says is a house of international quality.

It has four reception rooms, five bedrooms, a superb kitchen, zoned and part underfloor heating, alarm plus a guest apartment, linked to the main residence via a long, lean-to conservatory across the back of the house.