An ideal holiday home

IN THE last few weeks of summer, when the country ticks over slowly, the property market slumbers in the muggy heat of August.

Canny agents hold over their properties for the back to school/back to work surge of autumn and time hangs still.

There is one exception to the this rule - holiday homes. Despite rain and low cloud cover, there is something about wild boreens and slate hung botháns that bring out the romantic in us - which in turn leads to a desire to possess.

Second home seekers from the greater Dublin region have hoovered up properties in the more obvious and accessible areas, but little gems remain from those who value something far from the madding crowd.

One such property has been on the market since May with Ganly Walters and offers a complete and unusual package for its asking price of just over 300,000.

‘The Manse’ is in the heart of BMW region, which is the opposite to what the name suggests. This is Border, Midlands and Western territory and because of its disadvantaged status, properties here are covered by the Rural Renewal Scheme, which allows buyers to offset costs against tax

(As a word to the wise it would be advisable to check with a financial adviser first before committing to a purchase).

The Manse, Hollymount, Claremorris, is just off the beaten track and would not be the setting if you fancy raucous bank holiday weekends, that is unless you’re prepared to bus in your own party.

According to selling agent, Callum Bain, this is a fine period residence that predates its adjoining kirk: the little church was built two centuries ago as a trickle of Presbyterianism flowed down from the North.

The building is still sound, says Mr Bain, and would make an ideal studio or workshop. The Presbyterian church is a quirky addition to the simple but attractive main house, which has Georgian styling.

This is in good condition and is presently lived in - so, for holiday home purchasers it’s ideal.

Both Lough Mash and Lough Corrib are easy to get to making it attractive to anglers.

For amenities, you can’t get better than Galway, which is 30 miles away, Ballinrove is six miles away and Westport is another 20 miles, making the house perfectly placed.

The house has three, fine reception room, (one of which was used by the Minister to meet his parishioners) and a second which doubles as a sun room, has French doors opening into the garden. As befits a house of this type, it comes with not one, but two pantries as well as fitted presses and a tiled worktop. The rear hall houses a boiler room and guest loo.

Up on the first floor are the four principal bedrooms, however, for those odd party weekends the house could accommodate overnighters in the kirk - if fact it could be converted to self-catering accommodation if purchasers are of the mind the visitors like fish, go off after two days.

The house has a manageable one and half acres of lovely grounds which include a walled garden to the rear, for playing self-sufficiency. Access is via a gravelled driveway off the road to the village. Jeff Smith of Smith and Co are the local agents and Callum Bain of Ganly Walters, is the joint agent.