Picture postcard views from restored farmhouse

THERE’S a rare enough view of Kinsale from this farmhouse eyerie, and it even takes in a great outline perspective of the landmark Charles Fort as well.

But, you have to see past the surrounding trees to make the most of it.

This Sallyyport, Knocknapogaree house is on an acre and a half of grounds, in the midst of sheltering trees giving great privacy, framing pastoral and postcard-like views of Kinsale harbour.

It is just a short haul away from Summercove and the 16th century star-shaped Charles Fort, a few miles out from Kinsale itself, and just over the headland is the new Carlton Hotel at Rathmore, which overlooks Oysterhaven.

This largely-restored and upgraded house has been put up for sale after a lot of physical work to the 19th century farmhouse in its private, dell-like setting.

Agents Sherry FitzGerald in Cork city seek €950,000 for the offering, in a part of Kinsale harbour where planning permissions are rarer than water hen’s teeth.

It is now a four-bed farmhouse conversion, mixing old and new, with a fourth bedroom over the two-storey porch annexe to the front. Its exterior has been finished in a rough dash which looks lime-based, while replacement windows are double glazed, in timber sash frames.

The ground level has been reduced to dry out the walls, which have been left un-plastered and have been painted white internally, and while insulation might have been sacrificed as a result, heat is provided ambiently via underfloor coils under the newly-installed French limestone floor.

That smart-looking limestone floor spans the 10’ by 10’ entry hall, the 17’ by 16’ living room with wood-burning stove under a hefty inglenook beam. It is in the second reception room too, and the un-fitted kitchen at the other gable ned.

Ceiling heights are higher than you’d normally find in a farmhouse of this vintage, and upstairs several of the rooms are open to the apex, with exposed beams, with this feature to best effect in the two large bedrooms at either end of the house. Both , have been plumbed for en suite facilities, but installing them could spoil the rooms’ shapes.

The house and grounds will need some finishing, and there’s a long former dairy building (with cattle crush) for use as a garage. The site butts up against dairy pasture land, and a local farmer shares a part of the pretty winding uphill approach drive which could be left as a wild gardens, or colonised by a summer house. The rarity of the mix, and a Kinsale price tag of under €1m, is already drawing interest.