Cosy beach-side lodge that has a taste of Clonifornia

ARNOLD Schwarzenegger calls his new state Collyifornia, and in West Cork the current state of grace is Clonifornia.

A rising tide of prosperity in the last 10 years has lifted the boats of many West Cork towns, but the one that has coasted above and beyond the rest of the bunch is Clonakilty, aka Clonifornia.

Beach Boys-style West Coast living has hit the town and its beaches, with surfing and even kite surfing the new sport in town two shops selling boards and surf gear have opened up this summer.

Beaches like Inchydoney and Long Strand have been embraced by surfers, and a recent weekend surf festival at Long Strand had sunshine, barbecues, camper vans, live music, blonde heads and bronzed bodies swaddled in neoprene everything, in fact, except surf.

Coming up for sale close enough to trot over the dunes to the beach with board in hand is the South Lodge, located by one of the old entrance gates to Castlefreke Castle and former estate.

The two-bedroomed cottage carries a E220,000 price guide with Martin Kelleher of SWS Property Services, and has been given a simple and arty internal make-over in recent years.

While it is small, the site is large enough to warrant extension, subject to planing permission.

It faces south, with grassy dune views blocking any sea view: add in a view and you could jack the price up another E50,000 to E100,000. SWS earlier this summer had a tiny cottage overlooking Long Strand, on an acre, which hit the market guiding E250,000, and it sold rapidly for closer to E320,000 showing the premium on views.

South Lodge has a wide hall (ideal for disabled access), a kitchen/living room with solid fuel range and modern appliances, maple shaker units, the sittingroom has a 1930's style cast iron fireplace, and the main bathroom has both bath and shower.

The two bedrooms are to rear, with views across marshy and wooded land to Castlefreke Castle, which is about to commence a restoration programme by descendants of the original Freke/Carbery family.

Location is about a mile from Rathbarry, Ireland's tidiest village, and Clonakilty is about six miles away with Rosscarbery even closer to the west.