If you have a taste for fine features and old houses this one is for you

ASPIRING to period grandeur and a house with a link to an acclaimed artist, but short on necessary euros?

No 3 Mervue in Cobh could fit a reduced size budget for those with a taste for the finer features and older houses. Up for sale on one of Cobh's hills, this terraced house is two- storey over basement at street level, but also has an attic which gives it a total of four floors of space.

Its finest points are on its south facing side, where light and views stream in it may even have inspired high artistry.

The vendors say that the painter George Mounsey Wheatley Atkinson may have lived for a while in this 150-year-old harbour property.

In need of more than a lick of paint, it has a price guide of €175,000 with Liz Hannon of English auctioneers in Cobh, who says it needs "sympathetic refurbishment" in other words, expect to require the sympathies of an understanding bank manager as well.

The place has been re-roofed, has three Velux windows at attic level where there's an unfinished 26' by 10' room, and new double glazing has been fitted to the south facing facade looking over Cork harbour and the town itself.

The entry level has two reception room with double doors for a front-to-back view, there's a nice fireplace in one room.

The kitchen is downstairs at basement level, with access to the private back patio and gardens from here. Behind the kitchen are two store rooms and a WC.

The first floor has just two bedrooms, plus bathroom, and the attic level could take two more bedrooms or single bedroom and en suite.

The house is about 150 years old, and has period detailing to work with and original sash windows to the front. It all needs TLC and then some extra care and spending there is no heating and the kitchen will need to be up-graded, among other budgetary demands. And painterly painting.