Stunning views from coastal edge site

Take your pick from two sites, with the Fountainstown option pictured here.

SITES like this, on the Fountainstown/Myrtleville Road in Co Cork, are as rare as hen's teeth - and very valuable. The entry level here, for this half acre of ground which is at the coastal edge, is in the region of €450,000, and that's just for starters - there's a 3,000 square foot house included in the planning permission.

Designed by Shane Jones of Declan O'Sullivan Architects, the modern, split-level dwelling makes the most of the rectangular site and the stunning views.

The visual impact from the road is minimal, but on approach the house drops down to include a stone-fronted, lower level, which faces directly out to sea.

Three of four bedrooms are located here and have French doors directly onto a patio area, while the huge master bedroom is at ground floor level along with an open-plan, kitchen/diner and main living room. This faces south and west and leads directly on to a terrace of equal size, which is also sheltered and obscured from the road above by a detached garage.

Lots of windows and a number of approaches make this a very special house and it should see a lot of interest from buyers at the upper level who are looking for a unique project.

Superb for sailors at nearby Crosshaven, the Fountainstown location is also within a short commute of the city and the village of Crosshaven provides basic amenities while Carrigaline and its range of shops, is just five minutes away.

Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing is in charge of this once-in-a-lifetime sale.

He has an offer of €445,000 on the property already, which augurs well for a strong sale.

Meanwhile, much further down the coast, is a site on Cape Clear Island. Overlooking South Harbour, this property comes with full planning for a vernacular, stone-fronted house which is just 100 metres from the waters edge.

Cape's wild, romantic scenery is the draw here, says Pat Maguire of SWS Property Services, Skibbereen and he gives a guide price of €120,000 for the site, which has some preparation work completed.