Upgraded CEO Central has plenty of living space

IT could be called CEO Central - this Cork house has been home to the bosses of public and private companies and authorities over the last 30 years.

Roskeen, on Priest’s Hill in Cork’s Glounthane, was built back in 1969, but each of its last four owners made their mark and improvements, so it has moved with the times and constantly upgraded.

It has been home since 1992 to the Rice family - owner Tom Rice was Cork City Manager from 1987 to 1994 when he retired.

He and his wife Mary bought Roskeen when they moved to Cork, and previously Mr Rice had been manager in Limerick city, and in south Tipperary before that.

Extended sympathetically on several occasions, it has 2,700 sq ft of very comfortable quality space.

And, the surprise is the brightness throughout, thanks to changes which made its living core very open plan with a wall of south-facing glazing in the 300 sq ft luxurious living room.

The house has an almost un-Irish feel, and there’s American and Continental touches to the kitchen area and this is reinforced in the decking off the dining room, sun room and family room retreat. The 30’ by 17’ stretch of main decking, by the way is down since 1992, so there’s a confidence booster to those who have just rolled out decking and wonder how it will age.

Selling agent is Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing, guiding €730,000-plus, and he expects interest from city buyers, and families, as well as from a swathe between Glanmire and Midleton. Business parks like East Gate and others in Little Island may also supply prospective purchasers - though being a CEO is not essential.

Roskeen, a six minute walk from Glounthane’s commuter rail station and seven miles from the city, is on very private matured grounds (old salvaged limestone pillars form the entrance) of three-quarter of an acre, thoughtfully planted and immaculately maintained, with southerly views of Fota Island and Estate framed by mature cedar, pine and hardwood trees, while the arboretum selection or Ashbourne House beneath also fills the frame.

Thanks to its extensions and wall moves, it has four bedrooms, two with spacious en suite bathrooms, a large main bathroom with mosaic tiled walls, twin hotpresses, capacious floored attic, and, beneath, attractive bright living accommodation, with the light oak and tiled David Kiely kitchen the heart of this home.

Physical warmth is assured here thanks to a tall imported Danish solid fuel stove as an adjunct to the oil central heating.

External features consolidating this desirable home include home-office/shed, garden shed, and winding secret garden paths and acid soil for heathers, azaleas, camelias and a host of other happy plants.