Sumptuous detached gated villa in a spectacular setting by the sea

ONCE shabby huts, these villas at Barleycove in Co Cork are what co-operative housing can be.

Chalets built in the seventies around the Barleycove Hotel were privately owned and well worn at the turn of the century.

Working in concert, the owners demolished the old shacks and replaced them with rather sumptuous villas which now snake across the sandy hills on the Mizen.

And this week sees the Barleycove set a-flutter as one of the villas comes up for sale.

The much-abused term, rare sale, is invoked by Carmel O’Regan of SWS Property Services in regard to number 36, one of the first to break ranks since being built.

A true co-op, the development has private parking with gated access and for fees in the region of €1,000 a year, the grounds and communal areas are maintained.

It’s the guide price for this 1,200 square foot property, however, that sets the mark — it’s on offer at €595,000 — very 2006.

Sleek, modern and very architectural, the villas are detached but march in a line along the sandy beach head with fast access to the glorious sands of Barleycove.

No 36 has some very high-end fittings with a solid ash kitchen, elm counter tops, Italian tiling and oak flooring.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and an open plan layout make for comfortable, bright living and the house offers four bedrooms with master en suite.

So far, there’s been good interest, according to O’Regan, and despite the lateness of the year, she expects a swift sale at Barleycove.