Lookout at land’s end

YOU can’t get further west in Co Clare than Pilot Hill.

At the highest point near Loop Head, it was a favourite lookout for ships coming up the Shannon. Local fisherman and boat owners from Kilbaha rowed out to offer their services as freelance pilots to the vessels on their way to Limerick, long before marker buoys.

And, perhaps, on days of driving rain, they sheltered in one of three, pre-famine cottages which stood on the top of Pilot Hill.

Now, these old buildings have been incorporated into angular, architectural retakes on the traditional and, if the new structures represent anything, it's the new Ireland.

The forsaken wild west coast where the ground couldn't produce enough to raise a family, has now become utterly desirable in the flight back to the land by cash-rich, time-poor Irish.

So, the sight of Pilot Hill is a resurrection of sorts and the result of a lot of solid negotiation between the owners and Clare Co Council.

In that respect, both sides come out well, one for respecting the original and thinking small is beautiful and the other for taking a chance on a statement build on a prominent site.

And, after all that, one house is now being sold just as it's finished. Not because of speculation, points out selling agent, Micheal Greensmith, of Sherry FitzGerald McMahon, but because the creators can't make use of the house.

It's not rocket science to see that Pilot Hill Lodge will be picked up as a holiday home according to Mr Greensmith, it has almost 360-degree coastal views.

"You've got the estuary on one side, the river in the distance and waves breaking on the northern coastline. There's a choice of beaches with shelter on the eastern side and Atlantic waves on the other, as well as cliffs and countryside."

And while it's early days yet for viewers, Christmas and the New Year are the busiest times for the Kilrush office, says Mr Greensmith, who is looking for €450,000 for Pilot Hill Lodge and its half acre of gardens.

"The property market goes mad in January, as people start thinking of getting something for the summer. You'd be amazed at how many are US and UK-based Irish buyers, certainly more than half of our second-hand house sales are from that segment of the market."

And as Pilot Hill Lodge comes ready-to-go, but without someone else's style attached, it's a perfect buy.

It does come with a modern fitted kitchen that won't offend anyone's taste, unless they want to spend more, and, despite the unimposing cluster of buildings, there's quite a lot of room.

One of the blocks is given over to living space with a kitchen/diner, utility and guest loo on the ground floor.

Overhead there's a large 19ft by 12ft living room with adjoining bathroom.

The stone-faced block has three bedrooms, with master en suite and bathroom, while the third block is a garage and boiler house.

There's a finished patio area and the gardens are landscaped, so everything is done, which means the sale price is the full stop point.