€1m home is as good as gold

THE name Klondyke is probably appropriate for this four-bed detached Cork home - it is on a “golden mile” rural stretch in an area between Douglas, Monkstown and Carrigaline.

Ballyorban is home to a collection of large, one-off homes, several now in the multi-million euro price league. It’s country, but convenient, about five minutes’ spin from Cork’s south link road, with the harbour area as close in the other direction.

Klondyke is part of this gold rush to detached houses on large-ish sites, with just enough ground here, 1.3 acres, to keep a pony or two.

That’s been the profile of the vendors, who’ve built a compact stable block here, complete with 0.5 acre paddock, and auctioneer Joey Sheahan of F&V Sheahan reckons that the next owners too will be into horses and ponies.

Many of this horsey set will know the area fairly readily, as the long- established Hitchmough’s riding centre is very close to hand, and Cork city and suburbs is a 10 to 15 minute drive.

Guide price for Klondyke is €1 million, a level which reflects the location more than the house, good and all as it is.

The house is about five years old, with around 2,400 sq ft of living space and has four bedrooms, one with en suite and walk-in wardrobe.

Ground floor rooms are impressive, with a hall with oak floor, units in French oak in the 17’ by 12’ kitchen, which also has an island unit with granite worktops, Belfast sink and large US-style fridge and range cooker.

There’s a quite formal drawing room, 25’ by 12’, with bay and arched windows, white marble fireplace and coving, plus a living room with open fireplace and French doors to the garden.

Other rooms include utility, guest loo and main family bathroom upstairs.