Transformed gate lodge is ideal for long river walks

THIS former, red-brick gate lodge has been transformed into an attractive house.

On the rim of Cork county and in the protected green belt zone, the three-bedroomed house is now for sale through Con Dennehy of Property Choice for offers in excess of €450,000.

It overlooks the starting point for the Lee Fields walk and the upstairs living rooms are south-facing and have views over the river Lee. It’s almost in the country, but is still only a five-minute drive to the city centre.

This house is fully finished and comes free of stamp duty for first-time buyers. The kitchen/dining room area is fully equipped with vanilla units, a large island and a firebreast in old brick with a cast iron antique stove.

The huge living room leads onto a two-storey deck; a large gable window to the front also has a Juliet balcony overlooking the river.

On the ground floor, a simple, sheeted door leads on to a tiled hall and all three double rooms fan off this space. The master is en suite and the main bathroom is a large room with an adjacent utility.

This house is not really suitable for young families (because of the levels, the road and the temptation to a spot of rock climbing), but it’s ideal for downsizers or couples.

An electronic gate allows access to the back of the house and can easily hold three cars. The surface is cobbled with old brick used for the shrub and flower beds and overhead is 50 feet of rock.

It might be possible to build a deck from the kitchen or living room area up to the rock face, or a whole new floor in the attic.

But right now, this yellow house is perfect. It has wide plank, Glenpine floors, a fireplace in the huge lounge and a well-fitted kitchen.

It also has a pressurised water system, a bio-cycle unit and a garden shed with an enclosure for the oil tank and back-up water tank for the plumbing system.

The design, which was modified in planning, is by architect, Jim Leahy.

Further up the road, Turnberry, a large detached house in the exclusive Rosanna enclave is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for offers in the region of €950,000.