Soak up the atmosphere in old stone barn

A WEST Cork house full of baths and jacuzzis is fit for the filthy rich. Or the great unwashed with €500,000 to spend.

Back when the Old Stone Barn and adjoining small farmhouse were originally built, indoor plumbing might not have been an issue: water possibly came from a rain barrel and a drain pipe.

Now, in its renovated and converted sate, this attractive mix of old buildings is replete with a plethora of plumbing. It has no less than three of its bedrooms with en suites, two have a jacuzzi bath in their respective en suites while the third has a large shower, the main bathroom has a double shower, and the deck off the barn area has an outdoor hot tub under a retractable cover or canopy.

The sales brochure notes that water supply is via a deep bore well, with the bracketed extra information “excellent supply”.

The house and barn date to the late 1800s, says West Cork estate agent Charles McCarthy, who is selling the property which is four miles from Skibbereen with a 490,000 euro price guide.

The vendor is the owner of a local up-market guesthouse, and has refurbished and adapted the property with flair, he says, pitching it both at the holiday home and permanent residence market.

The main open plan living area and kitchen is at first floor level, with a railed central gallery, roof windows front and back, exposed rafters and walls a mix of rough exposed stone and white render. this airy room is 32’ by 13’.

There are four bedrooms beneath, two with en suites, and some have vaulted ceilings.

In addition, there is a games room in the old barn portion, measuring 15’ by 12’ and this opens via double doors to a screened deck with a hot tub and overhead awning to keep the soft rain from the warm water.

Location is at Kilnagospagh, between Skibbereen and Ballydehob on the Bantry road, and the property has southerly rural views. There is a gravel drive and parking area, with the bulk of the site in lawn.