Y2K is one in a thousand

THE dormer bungalow was a late 20th century response to the vernacular. But then, as a house style, it never really existed in the historic, Irish context.

It did, however, appeal as a compromise between the much-derided bungalow and the blocky, two-storey house.

And while it has been blighted by its ubiquity, the dormer is form following function — not a bad place to start when it comes to somewhere to live.

And there are many good examples of the type — take this property at Ardogeena, for example.

Built on a curve of the road, with its land dropping down towards the tidal mud flats of Dunmanus Bay, this is a clever house.

Its mass, (all 3,300 square feet), is broken up into three different blocks and it hugs the contours of its site, while at the same time, hiding itself from the roadside.

A couple of miles outside the thriving village of Durrus, west Cork, Y2K was, obviously, built in 2000 when the world was expected to crash and didn’t.

Instead, our property market crashed and it’s now making its debut through Eilís Cohalan and Liam Hodnett of SWS Property Services, Skibbereen.

And while the stone-clad and slate hung house may use ancient materials, internally, it’s very much a 21st century build.

Apart from two, en suite bedrooms and a number of ancillary rooms, the entire property is open plan, using various levels and items of furniture to delineate the various functional areas.

Entrance is via a simple, glass door in matt black frame so the view of the bay at the rear can be glimpsed from the entrance hallway.

There’s nothing closed here, it’s light, bright and makes for easy living, even on the gloomiest of days. The main hallway is just a recess in what in effect is a raised walkway running along the eastern spine. With just a chest high wall for separation, this corridor functions as a bookshelf, display and storage area.

A flight of stairs drop down to the living space and overhead is the soaring roof, finished in narrow parana pine panelling.

And then there’s the maple finish. Thematically, this house has kept it simple and all of the internal joinery is in maple from the floors, to the doors to the kitchen — and doors are prime, hand made specimens that are timeless in their design.

The kitchen is a defensible nook at one end of the living room with a high, bar counter and working area behind. All of the units are fitted in simple, Shaker style with granite and maple worktop and there’s plenty of storage. This is a house built by old hands, and it shows.

The large picture window on the westerly side ensures that even the cook has a glimpse of Dunmanus Bay. Around the corner, however, that panorama opens up to a wonderwall view of Hungry Hill, the bay and the lush garden in the foreground.

More or less cut out of the back wall of the house, the glazed projection is just the right size for a large dining table and chairs and its low wall doubles as a sitting space. The south-west aspect brings heat in, as well as giving a view outwards. It is not just the focal point of the room, but of the house.

The two main bedrooms are on one side of the property and both come with modern, clean line bathrooms adjoining an en suite.

Two other rooms, used as a studio and office, could return to bedroom use and that’s without factoring in the amount of space in the unused attic.

And everywhere, there is storage, secreted cupboards throughout the house, a large store internally and externally, a big garage with separate generator house.

Heating is underfloor and run on oil, while the big soapstone stove is only pressed into use when the mercury hits bottom.

One to look at for those seriously interested in downsizing to west Cork but without compromise. Or, alternatively, for anyone trading up in the area, this is a ready made package with no work involved.