Pirouette your way through this appealing retreat

AHEAD of its time. That’s the verdict on this west Cork house, home for decades to retired British ballerina Irene Ajello.

In her second marriage, the late and talented Ms Ajello married into the noted piano-making family, the Ajellos, and she spent her retirement in one of the most beautiful spots in west Cork, overlooking Whiddy Island and Seal Harbour.

“She was like a second Maureen O’Hara in the Bantry area, she was a very well-known and colourful personality,” says Carmel O’Regan of SWS Property Services, who is now selling on behalf of the late dancer’s estate and offspring.

The 1970s-built and conceived house is at Tracashel, a couple of miles out towards Castletownbere from Glengarriff.

The house, perhaps not surprisingly, is individual, and was/is an early example of an upside-down house, with its living quarter at the upper level, to maximise the views.

It is projected out over its sloping site, with a terrace across the front, to catch those views again, and it is on a cul de sac above the road beneath, with the shingle Seal Harbour a short walk away.

“It would make a fantastic retreat for someone wanting serenity within walking distance of the beach, and is on a site of 1.5 acres,” says Ms O’Regan.

The two-bedroomed house needs further spending now, but has good bones and the right aspect, and the €395,000 price reflects the new Irish property market reality: it is a practical seller, and purchase, at this sort of level.

It has upper level open plan living areas, a sunroom and balcony, all with a south-facing aspect, and what the agent calls triple aspect views.

There’s a main 23’ by 13’ living area, with stone-faced chimney breast, an open foyer, a painted kitchen and utility.

Underneath are two bedrooms, a single plus a double with en suite, and a shower room. There’s also a double garage. The grounds are mix of pasture, rockery and lawn.