Buyers will make tracks to see this illustrious ‘Across the tracks’ home

“ACROSS the Tracks” is the unusual name for a big family home in the Glounthane region of east Cork... close enough to walk in just a few minutes to a commuter rail link back to the city.

And, in keeping with the rail motif, the barbecue area in this unusual offering is a miniature Puffing Billy, a recreation of an old railway steam engine up on top of the barbecue as a cooking vent.

Vendor is businessman Martin O’Neill, who owns the nearby bustling Fitzpatrick’s shop (now 65 years in business) is selling up.

Big family homes in Glounthane in Cork are in short supply, says local auctioneer Kevin O’Connell of Dan O’Connell auctioneers, who brings one of the more distinctive offerings up for sale this week.

He says Across the Tracks could be ideal for a range of home-seekers, despite its €1.2 million price guide.

It is a bankable proposition, he holds, because of its well-set quarter acre site by the up-market Cois Cuain development and its size — 3,500 sq ft, with up to five or six bedrooms possible.

It is a split level house, with its living areas on the upper level and its bedrooms beneath, with a further usable attic space for storage.

There’s an externally accessed storage area over 45’ long and over 7’ wide. The main bedrooms all have hand basins and the master bed is en suite, with garden access from the bedroom. There’s a Jacuzzi bath in the main bathroom, plus shower, and the lower level also has two large wardrobe units, as well as a study.

The upper level has a large hall with apex or triangular wall of glass, a spiral teak staircase to a mezzanine floor with overhead Velux windows, guest WC, option fifth bedroom, and a lounge 19’ by 16’, a chandelier, hot-press that opens to a wide balcony with harbour views.

In addition, there’s a formal dining room off the lounge with serving hatch access to the kitchen, and the kitchen comes with painted solid wood units and granite worktops, Amtico floor, integrated Neff appliances and adjoining utility room. There’s a further reception room, 25’ by 22’ also with balcony access.

There’s good parking on the quarter acre, and the gardens include a water feature pool, octagonal gazebo and twin-grill BBQ in a brick and limestone surround.