Secluded cottage by the water is ideal for a couple

Rose Martin investigates Coracle Cottage, a stylish abode that would be a perfect buy for a cool couple.

FOR those sophisticates who are looking for a manageable home, but one that’s not run of the mill, then this property in Monkstown, Co Cork, should fit the bill.

‘Coracle Cottage’ is strictly for grown-ups and ideal for a couple who want an urban setting, but with space.

Monkstown is a just a skip from Rochestown but light years away in demographics. Choice Victorian villas line the seafront where sailing boats are moored. There’s a regular bus service and access to the South Link Road via Douglas or from the Carrigaline roundabout in both directions.

The cottage is at the end of de Vesci Place which runs perpendicular to the quay and faces south. This makes the main reception room and master bedroom very bright, especially as both rooms have wide bays.

The house is almost continental in its decor and is very feminine, but without the frills. Soft yellows, white furniture and judicious use of granite and glass gives the impression of cool good taste.

Everything has been done from bare walls out so the busy professional looking for a finished property need only move in.

And, at the asking price of 350,000 for this four-bedroomed house, it compares favourably with off-the-peg estate houses which wouldn’t have the same character, or privacy.

There are lots of stairs, so it wouldn’t really suit buyers with children but for a couple it’s perfect.

The ground floor has a large living room to the front, a well-fitted kitchen behind and a tiny little breakfast room overlooking the bay.

Because the entrance is at first floor level, you have to go down to the formal dining room, which is deftly decorated and lit for mood.

A hostess trolley would not only be an ironic touch here, but also eminently practical.

Across the hall is the en suite guest bedroom: in between both rooms is the fitted utility.

Light colours are used throughout the house but, sensibly, the stair carpet is in Prussian blue.

It runs all the way up to the top floor where there are three bedrooms and a main bathroom.

One of the rooms is a well equipped and shelved study, and the master bedroom is a dazzlingly bright space with a bank of built-in wardrobes and a large sleigh bed.

Back down in the basement there’s a back door to a gravelled yard which in turn has an attractive metal and wood staircase that climbs up to the side entrance.

Here, behind double teak doors, is a west-facing patio which while there is space for off street parking, is laid out as a little garden.

It has two small water features and low maintenance stone and gravel finish and its very secluded with views of the water.

Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing is selling for offers in the region of E350,000.

It’s within commuting distance of Cork, has good food at the end of the road, tennis minutes away, and a golf club on its doorstep.