Dormer in the centre of its own universe

DEPENDING on your point of view, Arlinstown, Ballinhassig, is either the middle of nowhere, or the centre of a small universe.

As a parish southwest of Cork city, Ballinhassig is itself so sprawling that it takes in three churches, and stretches through a hinterland almost from Bishopstown as far as Kinsale and Innishannon.

Arlinstown is one of the many low-key townlands in its midst, a couple of miles from Riverstick and Ballinhassig village, within a 10-minute drive to Kinsale and Carrigaline and 20 minutes from Cork city.

Rosebank in Arlinstown is a five-year-old, five-bedroom 2,300 sq ft dormer home for sale with Donnchadh Crowley of Global Properties, with a €540,000 price guide.

If that seems quite high for a rural dormer, it is bolstered by the fact the three-quarter acre site is big enough to possibly take a second house, but the word from planners (the area is strictly zoned) seems to be that any second dwelling would have to be kept for extended family use as the biocycle will have to be shared.

It is a well-finished home, with three first floor bedrooms and two at the lower level one bedroom at each level has an en suite bathroom.

Living space takes in a 22' by 13' sitting room, a similar sized kitchen/dining room with light oak units, study, utility and guest bathroom as well as main upstairs bathroom. The property also has a detached garage with plumbing and ESB supply.

The entrance has stone walls and iron gates, the drive is tarmac, and a school bus passes the property.