A cottage for all seasons close to Skibbereen

A MOVE to sunnier Spain from sometimes wet west Cork beckons for the British owners of Top Cottage.

Lifestyle, rather than weather, is the cause of the planned move, and the house at Aughadown near Skibbereen which they are leaving behind is comfortable in all seasons: it is as good a renovation job as you’ll see, says estate agent Henry O’Leary, based a bit further east in Clonakilty.

In fact, his photos and virtual tours show the house to be almost too good (or too new looking) to be true, so careful was the attention to finishing.

There’s a surprising 3,750 sq ft of space on two acres with Fastnet rock views, and Top Cottage is big enough and laid out in such a way as to be divisible into a three-bed house and adjoining two-bed (one up, one down) self-contained unit. It already has five bedrooms, three reception rooms and two kitchens, so is adaptable for visitors, a grandparent or two, an independent teenager, or paying guests.

Whoever buys (and the price level at €750,000 puts it at the upper level of renovated west Cork farmhouses) won’t find fault with its quality, and the master bedroom (with views) is appropriately grand for buyers with this sort of sum to spend. It is 23’ by 15’, and features exposed beams in the high, vaulted ceiling, along with a walk-through wardrobe/dressing area and en suite, full-sized bathroom. One other bedroom is also en suite.

Also a good size is the main living room, some 33’ by 13,’ with warming wood burning stove in the original

Inglenook fireplace, and the room also has the main staircase , in its traditional Irish farmhouse position. The house is sort of t-shaped, ie a small t rather than a big T, and the kitchen/diner has solid wood units, tiled worktops, and a large Rangemaster cooker, with gas hob. There’s also a separate dining room.