Simplicity is the secret

Tommy Barker is charmed by a home set in tranquil surrounds.

SIMPLICITY says it all, and it speaks volumes at this Mononagh home near Skibbereen in West Cork.

A simple two-up, two-down cottage has been added on to by its Dutch owners, who also gave a clean bill of health to this smart structure when they renewed its core about five years ago.

Location is three miles west from Skibbereen, off the Ballydehob road facing Oldcourt, and has views back towards Baltimore harbour, but they are distant and best glimpsed from the upper floor bedrooms. The house is on 1.25 acres of gardens, with organic fruit and veg sections and a paddock.

The owners built on a stone side annexe in a matching but slightly reduced format on one gable end, and half dormer windows complete the pretty-as-a-picture picture from the front.

The three-bedroomed house (with older, single-storey extension behind) has two sets of staircases, the one in the annexe leads to one pitch-roofed bedroom, while the stairs in the original part of the house leads to two other interconnecting bedrooms, one of which has a fireplace.

Wood features aplenty, in ceilings and low-level wainscoting upstairs, while the main living area below has, in reverse, its ceiling joists unsheathed, exposed and painted, with low-voltage lighting which gives a modern touch.

There’s a dining area with open fireplace, cast iron stove and tiled hearth, with a couple of steps up to a shower room, and then the dining room opens to a kitchen with built-ins, while a few more steps up lead to the 20’x13’ living area, with windows on three sides. A ground floor utility room rounds out the accommodation picture.

Estate agent Liam Hodnett of ERA Real Estate in Skibbereen guides this home at €365,000, and says it is showing very well and is ideal for full-time occupation as well as for other uses. It is in a very tranquil setting, he adds, with character, charm and comfort thanks to double glazed hardwood windows, and oil central heating.