Enjoy the good life on estuary wave at Arbutus

A HUCKLEBERRY Finn and Tom Sawyer type of lifestyle for youngsters is offered at Arbutus.

The 30-something-year-old bungalow is on a quarter of an acre site on the Currabinny Road near Carrigaline in Co Cork - and what a half an acre.

It is waterfrontage central, with the long strip of gardens opening directly to the water's edge, looking towards Drake's Pool. The family now shipping out have savoured the good life on an estuary wave: the place comes with its own mooring.

Obviously better at high tide than low when the water draws back entirely, leaving the way open for birdlife, the aspect is southerly. Crosshaven is a mile or two downriver, and Carrigaline is within walking distance in the other direction.

Arbutus' location is near the Bayswater up-market house development of a handful of c €1 million homes. In contrast, Arbutus has a €500,000 price guide quoted by estate agent Roy Dennehy in Carrigaline.

"It is like Florida when the tide is in, it comes right to the edge of the gardens," he enthuses, and says the place will be sought-after by families in the area trading up, but will also get interest from further afield because of the frontage.

The house probably plays second fiddle to the site and gardens of a quarter of an acre, but has been modernised with the option of four or five bedrooms.

The house and gardens are well-screened from the road, and rooms include hall with teak block floor, four bedrooms with one en suite, L-shaped sitting/dining room, a kitchen/breakfast room, utility, sun room, study and main bathroom.

The house has dual central heating and double glazing.