Old Post Office ideal island retreat in charming West Cork

THIS is the time of year for selling properties in West Cork. While city agents see a fall off in listings as the holiday season begins, down west the boards are going up in anticipation of the summer crowds.

There are ‘breakaway homes and boltholes, but living on an island adds an extra dimension to downtime, and that’s why this house on Sherkin Island will appeal.

Just a 15-minute ferry from Baltimore, The Old Post Office comes with 2.8 acres of land, including shore frontage.

Considering Baltimore’s attraction for sailors, this property would make an ideal base and, according to Liam Hodnett, there’s a run-in in one part where it would be possible to dock.

One of those difficult to get foreshore licenses would mean that a permanent mooring could be built here, but in the meantime a bathing deck would be perfect, the selling agent suggests.

He’s giving a guide price of €720,000 for The Old Post Office, which ironically is quite new, having been rebuilt following a fire in the 1980’s.

A rolling, green landscape surrounds the house, and because it’s been used as a full-time home is comes with some well-tended gardens, including a secret garden, says Liam Hodnett.

Mature shrubs and apple trees are part of the package and the house faces the public road to Silver Strand, a nearby bathing spot.

The house is quite spacious and has an extra large living room along with a separate kitchen and dining room, the latter being fully built-in. There are four bedrooms, along with a main bathroom and guest WC and there’s a small sunroom tucked into the bedroom wing.

Solid fuel heating is installed and the property is just five minutes walk from the pier.

ERA Liam Hodnett are the agents to contact.