Victorian grandeur in a city special conservation area

By Rose Martin

This referred to their habit of opening up rooms to allow ambient light filter from back to front in the old Victorian dwellings.

Which, by a long way round, brings us to 3, Mount Brandon, Gardiner’s Hill.

A very London-ish terrace on the still gracious north-east of Cork city (now designated an Area of Special Conservation under the city development plan), this is the new territory of the Cork ‘knockers-through’.

Gleaming front doors, renovated sash windows and narrow wooden blinds give the hint of a new generation behind the old walls.

And, with the rise in prominence, values have followed suit. Houses here are now fetching considerably more that in the past and No 3 is no different: it comes with an asking price in excess of €400,000.

But, compared to smaller, modern houses in the suburbs, this is still good value. With 2,200 square feet of space and just a brisk walk to the city centre (only one car needed), this five-bedroomed house is also in good condition and needs no further work.

The home of a bustling family, it has all the hallmarks of gentility, but the user-friendliness of a modern home.

This means it comes with a large, fitted kitchen, gas heating, an alarm system and a number of showers, but still has high ceilings, ornamental plasterwork and sash windows.

One of its nicest features is the tall and elegant myrtle by the front door, which marks the house out from its neighbours.

The gardens here are lovely and in the back, a high patio area, is shrouded in a screen of creepers. Likewise, to the front, an assortment of climbers clothe the front bay window.

Andy Moore of Andrew Moore and Co is the selling agent.