On the edge of the world

YOU have to be shown the way to this house in Schull, Co Cork, and even then you might not find your way back auctioneer Dominic Daly shot past the entrance on his last call, despite previous visits.

This Ballyrysode property isn't just private, it's practically invisible and the agricultural trappings at the boreen entrance adds to the camouflage after all, you don't expect wrapped bales at the front of a €3 million property.

Drive in and the drama unfolds as you come upon Shambala, a two-winged farmhouse at the thin end of a wedge-shaped land bank: go behind it and the ocean is spread out before you, the Fastnet rock marking dead centre of the 180 degree views.

There's over a mile of absolutely private coastline along with 35 acres of rocky, West Cork ground.

Understated and hidden, this Toormore property is hippy-chic, but at millionaire level.

Fly a helicopter in here and you come and go without leaving a trace something invaluable for those with a high profile, perhaps this property's most obvious market.

Originally a three-bedroomed farmhouse, it was considerably upgraded by previous owners, but its vendor, a successful wildlife artist, has taken this house to an entirely original level, both inside and out.

He's added a whole new wing that follows an open plan design and the rooms run naturally to the outside where there's a breathtakingly beautiful living area. Less is more here and a two-pool water feature has naturally seeded rushes and banks of foxy montbretia framing one of West Cork's best views.

Nuts and bolts-wise, this is still a three bedroomed property, but then the master bedroom is at least 1,000 square feet and has a large two-storey deck over the south-facing patio.

Underneath, and with the same dimensions, is the kitchen/dining area with its long convent refectory table and massive island unit.

The kitchen cabinets are all hand-built in old pine and even though its considered unfashionable at the moment, put it in the right setting and it's perfect like here.

All of the rooms are painted white, with pitch pine beams, old floorboards are finished to a tee and windows are church gothic enlivened by gleaming white paint.

The main living room is in the older half of the house and is baronial in style, an effect increased by deep-toned Indonesian furniture and eclectic objects, which fits with the Sanskrit name: Shambala means a place where man and animals live in harmony.

Man is certainly at home in this rural idyll and, as for animals, the three wild goats that roam the rocks don't seem too stressed either.

Shambala is on the market with Dominic Daly for offers in the region of €3 million and includes full planning permission for a separate residence on a coastal stretch of the property.