Rural cousin beats city costs

ONE thing is for sure, if you were to put this Templemary house closer to either Cork or Limerick city, you would get nothing like it for the price.

Almost equidistant between the two Munster cities, near Buttevant in Co Cork, this family home is a whopper, a full 5,500 sq ft of living space, all on a suitably-sized elevated site of 5.5 acres.

And, its owners say it is set so there are views to all the Munster counties: "We can see Waterford towards the east, and planes coming in to land in Shannon to the west," they note.

While the views are expansive, the place doesn't seem overly expensive in sale terms, given the huge sums far lesser homes make, albeit closer to large urban areas.

Chances are most people would guess the price to be over the €500,000 or even €600,000 mark. In fact, its guide price with Daniel Fleming auctioneers in Blarney is €490,000, well under €100 per square foot and a fact for those faced with builders' quotes for new houses to digest.

The space is on three levels, with a games room at the top flight, four large double bedrooms at first floor level, and four/five ground floor reception rooms, which include a sun room and study. And, if you need even more space, there is planning permission for a detached garage as well.

Features include a mahogany double staircase, wood and tile floors, open plan living rooms accessing a sun room, a master bedroom with en suite, a walk-in wardrobe and a walk-out balcony.

There also lots of land (ideal for keeping horses on) and an approach driveway with post and rail fencing.