Go Forth and take a look at Cobh

YOU’ll know it when your ship comes in, at Fort Villas. This elevated residential ridge above Cobh spans all of the maritime traffic and sailing activity in Cork harbour, and with light and views in abundance.

A new market arrival is No 1 Fort Villas, an original style Victorian semi-detached house, dating to the mid 1800s with most, if not all, of its period trim intact.

It joins its neighbour No 4 on the sales list, as that house went up for sale this spring in a fully restored stated (done in the last four years). It guides at €795,000 with local agents English and Co.

No 1, by way of contrast, has a €675,000 asking price quoted by auctioneer Conor Smith of Savills HOK, who says it now needs some modernising.

Thus, it is likely that the legion of period house fans who get attracted to Cobh will cast an eye over both houses, either to see what could be done at No 1, or to balance the merits of one end of the enclave with the other, and draw their own conclusions about the refurbishment costs and a renovation wish list, or to opt for a walk-in job.

The setting is on High Road, Cobh, and No 1 comes with a side and front garden. It has no less than five bedrooms, and period authenticity, from high ceilings, through sash windows, decorative barges with finials and a neat porch, inside rooms have ornate plasterwork and fine fireplaces, with the back-up of oil central heating.

The ground level has a front sitting room 21’ by 14’, with bay window, a rear dining room opening via an arch to kitchen/breakfast room with a Rayburn. There’s also a utility and shower room, and the main bathroom and five bedrooms (three with fireplaces) are on and above the half landing.

The vendor says the house has a maritime past, and was most likely built, as was the norm, for officers in the British Navy, in what was then Queenstown. For a more modest new owner, No 1 Fort View has a garage, big enough for a small dinghy or sails storage.