Beguiling property with terrific views

THERE’S land, and then there’s the sea, and there are few enough places on the Irish coastline where the two come together so prettily as at Galley Head in West Cork.

Up for sale here, with views, acres of land, a glimpse of the lighthouse and an old rocket house used for signalling for cliff and coastal rescues is a beguiling property parcel with John Hodnett of South Western Services.

Just six miles from Clonakilty, it is the sort of place that is near to lots of amenities, but far enough away to have a rugged, removed-from-it-all feel.

The scenery is dramatic, looking east and south, with the Galley Head lighthouse as a flashing beacon, and there are views back across Dirk Cove to Red Strand and towards Ardfield village. Nearby, too, are postcard-pretty Rathbarry village, the woods at Castlefreke, dunes, safe sandy beaches, wilder surfing beaches, rocky coves and quiet country pubs.

Up for sale in this low-key seaside area and already getting offers is this residential landholding, with 50 acres of land in all and a number of buying permutations.

It is offered in two lots, one of 30 acres between the road and the cliffs, and it has the stone-built old 19th century rocket house as a place of promise. Planning generally in the area is tight give its scenic setting, but the c 500 sq ft old stone building with a life-saving past could prove a key to a sensitive compromise. Price guide for the old rocket house and 30 acres of, at best, reasonable land, is €150,000, says Mr Hodnett.

Across the cul-de-sac road and up a few hundred yards leading towards the end of the peninsula and lighthouse is an old farm house, not lived in for a few years, but still fine and solid, stone built with three bedrooms, attractive features and some old stone out-buildings.

This second lot, beside the road as it narrows though walls to reveal an ocean view beyond, is on 20 acres, and can be bought on either one or 20 acres of land. On the larger size, 20 acres, it is loosely guided at €270,000-plus, and is already under offer at a figure short of this.

According to Mr Hodnett, viewers so far include a mix of people looking for a full-time home and those looking at holiday usage, while the land might also have an appeal for neighbouring farmers.