Comfort zones in country homes

THERE’S money in Munster’s cities, set to go out to county and country homes.

Sale terms have just been agreed at well over €2 million for Glendaragh, a modern take on a Georgian classic at Ballyanley, Inniscarra, within a month of hitting the market.

Estate agent Michael H Daniels had priced the 6,000 sq ft pristine home on 27 acres at €1.85 million-plus. A rapid flood of viewing ensued, with interest from Cork city, county, the rest of Ireland and Britain.

A deal was agreed in the past week, with the buyer understood to be from Cork city. It made considerably more than the guide, and is likely to be well in excess of €2 million, according to sources following the negotiations.

The dearth of good country homes in Munster, and the evidence of this swift deal, augurs well for other similar sales prior to Christmas.

Two, in particular, spring to mind: Rockforest Lodge in Mallow, which is similarly guided at €1.85 million-plus, and Classes House near Ballincollig.

Classes hit the market with two acres of woodland and a €1.6 million price guide via Sherry FitzGerald. Now, the agents have confirmed the vendor will include a further 4.5 acre of land beside the River Lee, with valuable fishing rights, at the same €1.6 million price.

Out near Mallow, Rockforest Lodge is an authentic Georgian country house on 62 acres of land, guided at €1.85 million-plus by Michael H Daniels. This recent arrival is ideal for those keen on the country life and it is expected to pander to Cork and Limerick horsey interests.

Set between the River Blackwater and the Nagle Mountains, it is an 1820s home associated with the Creagh family of Doneraile, and was built as dower house to Rockforest House.

It has period detailing aplenty, including tall sash windows, cornices, shutters, and has three reception rooms, six bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The grounds include a sun terrace and outdoor swimming pool, put in by its Irish owners of the last 30 years.

On the equestrian side, the stone yard includes 10 stables, tack room, a sand arena and horse walker.

According to Mr Daniels: “Rockforest Lodge represents an increasingly rare opportunity to combine a fine house, with a significant amount of land, within 40 minutes of Cork city.”