Plenty of living options for buyers at spacious Windsor Hill House

WINDSOR Hill House is almost 200 years old and most of the last 100 years has been in the same family’s ownership and ministration.

Now, however, the Georgian over-basement home is being sold, with a trading-down replacement about to be built by the vendor in a separate part of its lands.

The manageable-sized option, being offered for sale on an acre of gardens with miles of harbour views east of Cork city, is up on Windsor Hill, Glounthaune, and the hill is most likely called after the house.

It is being put up for sale with joint agents Dominic Daly, and Savills HOK, who guide it at close to €1.5 million, and who say it is in very good condition. Especially so, given its name as a house of great past parties and social engagements. The fact the vendors were in the wine business was, most probably, a lubricant to this reputation.

It has lots of living options for a family, thanks to its accommodation on three levels: the basement or garden level is self-contained, with scope for several bedrooms, plus living quarters, stores and office, the guest suite down here has a sauna, while the first floor has four bedrooms, and the main bathroom has a separate shower and Jacuzzi bath.

The main approach is up an avenue above easy-commute Glounthaune, which has rail and road links back to the city five or six miles away, and there’s a sheltering beech tree standing guard by the house, which has a good degree of privacy despite some previous site development nearby.

The main ground level, reached after a few steps up to the porch, has two reception rooms, one with fireplace, and the kitchen has recently been fitted with new units in Pippi oak, with granite worktops.

Windows are double glazed, the roof was re-done in 1980, and the large entrance hall has the original fanlight over the painted hardwood door, and retained original staircase.

There’s only a limited number of fireplaces, one in white marble in the 29’ by 14’ sitting room, and this room has a double aspect looking up the Lee valley.

Ceiling heights are good and all of the principal rooms are bright, with south facing harbour views.