Restored listed residence enjoys spectacular views

IF you are the type who sees the glass half full rather than half empty, then your cup truly runneth over at 18 Myrtle Hill Terrace.

South-facing, overlooking the River Lee and the Marina in Cork, no 18 in this long terrace of a couple of dozen period homes off the Lower Glanmire Road is up for sale. At its price guide of €335,000 for a fully, authentically restored and listed residence, it looks to be a snip.

It starts off particularly well at ground level (with linked reception rooms, brand new kitchen/dining room, hall and guest WC), but almost gets better as you go up: the top floor room is sweetness and light, with a low and gently vaulted room with cornice work and two low-set sash windows to sit up to and watch the world pass by from.

And, from this crow’s nest perch, you can watch the world pass by train, by car and by boat, three varied strands of transport by the front door.

The ships move languidly, cars are a steadier stream, and the rail line to Cobh and points east is a train-spotter’s delight.

But therein lies the slight rub: to get to and from Myrtle Hill Terrace, you have to exit/access busy Lower Glanmire Road and use CIE’s manned level crossing, and parking along the terrace is quite restrictive. These fractional inconveniences might deter some would-be buyers - so they don’t deserve a town-edge and river-facing period residence like no 18 then, do they?

Derrick Gerety of Andrew Moore and Co auctioneers is selling no 18, ideal for style-minded singles or couples.

It was renovated by a couple whose background is in psychology, and who have embraced house restoration, and they kept a cool head when doing up the 1850s, three-storey and up to four bedroomed house. It has new timber sash windows and some restored old ones, new cast iron guttering and original features are all retained and enhanced.

Admire the original front door and plain fanlight, the slender staircase spindles and handrail, the simple cornice work, the lime render plastering done to match the old walls feel, the heritage range of paint shades and the waxed old floors with evidence of age.

And, take comfort from the quality of interventionist and modernising work done, such as the extension to the back where the brand new kitchen was placed in lieu of a back yard, or the stair return bathroom with shower/bath and central heating boiler.