Mock Georgian built with loving attention to detail

THERE are copies and there are copies, but Ballyduff House in Cloyne, Co Cork, is almost the genuine Georgian article.

The rest of the country can have its red brick and PVC versions of this architectural genre — the owners of this new building were having none of that: they built in 18th century style for the 21st century living, with a lime render finish, new sash windows and Blue Bangor roof slates.

Even a cursory glance at the exterior shows the fine attention to detail, but another glance at the interior really raises that perception: the finish is so unstinting it should astonish even the most discriminating of buyers.

If all that sounds a bit elitist, then so be it: this is a house built by not one but two perfectionists, who weren’t prepared to compromise their vision. Their architect, builder and craftsmen all shared that view, to create a striking ensemble piece. The vendors say it only took an hour to get down the bones of the design — remarkable, considering the multi-gabled approach and clever elegance of the house.

Ballyduff is single-depth in design, but its layout includes a series of side windows to the rear that add even more sunlight throughout the day. Then, there are the various patios, also capturing the sun as it tracks its way around the house. Neat.

There are carved limestone steps leading to the main doorway which — like all external joinery — is bespoke and painted in a flat black and matt cream.

The entrance hallway is floored in soft cream Portland stone, complete with a handmade staircase. The walls are papered in a soft yellow and the ceiling coving is a deep, detailed copy of the plasterwork from a period Youghal home. Doors leading to left and right have deep, handmade architraves, all with bolection mouldings.

Then, there’s the kitchen: a Leo Linehan creation in cream, with a black marble worktop and a stainless steel range. A big country cookery, it has a slate and brick fireplace which came from an old house in Montenotte, Co Cork — believed to have been that of the Hyde family of Castlehyde. Double-doors in a glazed frame lead in one direction, while in another there’s a cosy library with windows to the north, south and west. The formal rooms are to the left of the entrance hallway, with a sitting room centred around another impressive fireplace, and a dining room at the eastern end, through an arch. Ballyduff Lodge is a cosy house, despite its impressive appointments. There are four bedrooms on the upper floor where — again — the quality of finish is excellent: nothing cheap, nothing mass-produced, just elegant, discerning fixtures and fittings.

The home’s heart is in the right place too: it has a wetland system operating on a level, three-acre site. Located within a 10 minute drive of Midleton, Ballyduff is on the market with Peter Cave and Valerie Parkes of Hamilton Osborne King for offers in excess of €1.1 million.