Rural charm within a fast commute of the city

A LOT done, more to do at this house at Coolyduff, Inniscarra, Co Cork. A 3,000-footer, most of the hard labour is complete but some finishing remains.

The brainchild of a British-based architect, finishing work can be done to a new owner’s specification, says Tim Murray of Property Partners O’Mahony Walsh.

He’s giving a rough guide of €825,000 for the property which occupies a high, half-acre site overlooking the Lee at Inniscarra.

It’s across the river from the Powdermills park and cheek by jowl with the home of the poet Sean Ó Ríordáin, after whom the nearby gaelscoil is named.

This hamlet is minutes from Ballincollig and a fast commute to the city, but is highly regulated, which means planning is difficult to get in the area. Hence the high guide prices for properties locally.

This house started off as a simple three-bed bungalow, but very imaginative treatment turned it into the large property it is now.

The roof was removed and a wing added, in boomerang-style, while a floor was created upstairs. The lower level was faced in Kenmare stone and a layer of antique clay bricks were laid between ground and first floor, to distract from an obvious seam.

The windows were replaced in black Georgian PVC and the new roof was slated in harmony.

A garage and office/study have been added and there is planning for a swinging driveway from the minor road approach. That needs to be put in place, along with landscaping and internal finish, but the house does have charm.

Tim Murray is open to negotiation, considering the market, the house type and the choice of finish.

However, with five bedrooms, all of which are en suite, two living rooms, a dining room and a kitchen diner, it ticks a lot of boxes for buyers looking for rural charm with accessibility.