Cottage has rustic charm close to bustling Macroom

A RARE Kerry snail might be holding up a road bypass of the mid Cork town of Macroom, but for those who hanker for a life in the slow lane anyway, how about this cute Carriganimma cottage?

The rustic home, with a reed thatch roof, is four or five miles from Macroom town, and over a century removed from its current frenetic pace of building and development.

Macroom is finally getting a surge of investment and construction, with a new Dunnes Stores open just parallel to the (traffic-clogged) Main Street. There’s also a Lidl and 4Home store adding to the traditional mix, whilst the local farmers’ market keeps the town locally grounded too with the best of fresh product from the fields around.

A simple life, and perhaps a veg growing one, beckons at Kitty’s Place, dating back 150 years to 1856, and set on an acre with outbuildings.

A colourful option, with its indigo-shaded walls and eye-catching eyebrow dormer window, it is for sale with Location Properties in Blarney, who seek offers around €265,000. It is located at Glountane East, Carriganimma, which is just off the Macroom to Millstreet road, and manages to fit in three bedrooms, one at ground level and two overhead with bathroom, plus living room with solid fuel stove, un-fitted kitchen, utility. Windows are double glazed, with oak frames.

There’s also a south-facing conservatory, sheep’s wool insulation, and gas central heating.

The site includes mature trees, a stream at one end, orchard, pasture, and two out-buildings, one done for guest accommodation....and there’s a satellite dish for modern TV links to the wide world beyond.