A modern take styled on its period precedent

THERE’S more than the touch of the phoenix about Park House, it is a place that rose up through the ashes of its elder precedent.

Only built about five or six years ago, it replaces and pays due respect to a period home from the early 1800s, the original Park House which was burned down after a fire in 2001, thought to have originated with a defective electric blanket. The vendor says the 4,000sq ft modern take on the original “takes its styling from its very early 19th century conception and birth”.

Park House, steeped now in modern comforts and in rude health, has been home since 1973 to solicitor Gerard O’Keeffe, and is only being sold as he is looking to trade down (subject to planning) to a smaller property on a portion of the almost 20 acres here.

He clearly has an eye for a well-set property, as his Dublin home Martha’s Vineyard in Dalkey was bought for €1.3 million by movie director Jim Sheridan, and that expensively rebuilt house on a water’s edge site on the Coliemore Road has been up for re-sale for a whopping €8 million.

Park House, by contrast, is steeped in north Cork country and history. Previous owners include the Barry family, local doctors, and a Lady Rosemary McTaggart.

Its lands include paddocks, parkland, lawned gardens with sculpture and fountain, five stables, outhouses and separate living quarters in need of upgrading, all within a mile or so of Kanturk in north Cork.

It has been put on the market with local agent Liam Murphy, and the vendor says while it might have fetched €1.5 million at the height of the boom, it is now likely to have come back 10-20% in value. Mr Murphy says it is one of the most comprehensive quality residential packages in the area.

For those who love period houses, but worry about hidden costs associated with buying an older property, the fact this is virtually a new build will bring comforts, but there’s been little or no compromise on the period “feel” at Park House.

Thus, the staircase wending from hall through the stair return to the first floor level is as elegant and well made as you’d expect, with curving hardwood rail and turned spindles.

The house’s hall and main reception rooms have detailed cornice plasterwork, the original internal arched fanlight has been retained and put back into pride of place, and the three principal fireplaces are old — one in stone, another in marble, while the master bedroom has a gas insert fireplace. The kitchen has an Aga for that real country house atmosphere.

Rooms here are big, such as a 31’×16’ living room with sandstone fireplace, the dining room is 22’×16’ , and there’s also a TV room. All three rooms have wood floors, as does the hall.

Overhead, the master bedroom fits the descriptive bill, suite-sized at a maximum of 48’×16’, encompassing a 31’×16’ bedroom opening via French doors to a balcony, the dressing room is 7’×16’, and the bathroom is 9’×16’, with up-market suite, including a sauna/shower.

Two other bedrooms also have en suite bathrooms, while a first floor library with fireplace (electric insert) is an optional fourth bedroom.

Rebuilding work was done here by Buckley Brothers of Ballydesmond, whose speciality is old buildings and church renovations, and the vendor praises their attention to detail and finishes.

Because of the previous house’s unfortunate history this replacement Park House has a sophisticated fire and burglar alarm system. Heating is via oil, and windows are in hardwood.

The gardens round out the complete package, with four or five different separate sections, and the orchards include apple and pear trees.