Your chance to live in your own lake district

IDEAL for first-time buyers, trumpets the brochure and, indeed, 4 Connolly Road at Ballyphehane on the southside of Cork city is a good bet in terms of price, location and, above all, accommodation.

On the market with Christy Ryan Auctioneer and Associates for offers in excess of €330,000, this Ballyphehane house is in very good condition and is a 10-minute drive to town.

Wilton Shopping centre, UCC and Cork University Hospital are about the same distance, westwards.

The best part about this side of town is that you have the Lough on the doorstep and while it might offend the design-driven, a walk around its circumference is a good way to end a working day.

The Lough, if you don’t know Cork city, is a magnificent lake in a southside suburb that is a mecca for wild birds of various species.

Number 4 also faces onto Connolly Park, a spacious green area which is a safe playing area for children and good place to walk the dog.

A mid-terrace, three-bedroom home, it has drive-in parking to the front and has a good garden to the rear.

The main living room faces the road and behind there’s a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom and access to the garden.

There are three bedrooms on the upper floor and, with the size of the garden, it would be possible to extend this house substantially at the back.

However, in its present format 4 Connolly Road is perfect for couples or young families and has good local amenities.

The property has gas heating, aluminium windows and a concrete garden shed to the rear.