Loads of room to manoeuvre

SHOPPING for a retirement home or dreaming of downsizing to West Cork? Have a lot of criteria to fill?

Then how about this mini-estate near Ballydehob, which is on the market at €650,000 through local auctioneer Martin Swanton.

Into your basket you can put a thoroughly renovated and tastefully decorated farmhouse, a guest cottage, five acres of privacy, woodland, a burbling stream and a location just off the N71 to boot.

Ballydehob is also a central location in West Cork and, apart from the stunning scenery, has that bohemian mix that draws blow-ins in their droves. You can just move in here to start into the West Cork lifestyle and there’s still plenty of room for the family and other occasional visitors. At a push, the guest cottage could be rented out for the season and rates are high.

The main house has a large, south-facing sunroom across the front with double doors at one end. This gives onto the kitchen with its pine units, American-style fridge and solid fuel stove. A slate floor runs into the dining room which has an open fireplace and book shelves. A utility room and guest bathroom are off a rear hallway.

The upper level has four bedrooms, all a good size and a main bathroom. The master comes en suite and includes a fireplace and balcony off one gable end with stunning views.

Over in the newly-built guest cottage, there’s and open plan living/dining area, one en suite bedroom and a second bedroom and bathroom.

To the rear is a slated patio area and storage heating is fitted, while the main house has oil heating.

Satellite telly, numerous phone lines and all the standard services are to hand in a composite property that’s more than ready to go.