Special place in west Cork is just right for a quick dip in the ocean

BACK during the Cold War period, senior members of the Swiss government bought a west Cork bolt-hole at Liss Ard, near Tragumna.

They reckoned that, what with prevailing westerlies, the location on the sea side of Skibbereen was among the safest settings in western European, if a nuclear bomb ever chanced the Continent’s way.

While LissArd had some grandeur, one of those behind the Swiss government’s fallback position also picked up a waterfront, modest traditional cottage, Murphy’s Cove, into the bargain.

And what a setting — a location at Gokane Point, a mile from a Blue Flag beach at Tragumna, so close to the sea that land-locked landlubbers could only dream of it, and cottage occupants could cast a fishing line from their front doors.

Now, having been through one or two owners in the interim, this pretty, clearly special place is back up for sale on behalf of its German owners, and it is genuinely a prized spot.

It’s a modest-looking, stone-built structure, with two adjoining one-bedroomed, characterful wee houses on the acre plot, and rocks almost from the front door dropping down to the water ... close enough for a running dive and a dip. There’s also fairly sheltered moorings for a dinghy or other boat.

The cove, below the road from Castletownshend to Tragumna, is shingly and fairly private, but the setting is shared by a handful of privately owned holiday homes, built in replica, thatched cottage-style 30 years ago, and since having had their thatch replaced with slate roofs.

Skibbereen estate agent, Pat Maguire, seeks offers around €550,000 for the Murphy’s Cove promontory acre, and linked buildings with wood-beam and vaulted ceilings, with about 1,200 sq ft in all, and beckoning for a sensitive bit of glass link corridors and upgrading.

The €550k value is clearly dictated by the setting, and viewing interest is likely to be keen.

Mr Maguire expects interest from Cork city buyers, primarily, as well as from further afield.

“It has unrivalled views, character and privacy, it’s the quintessential west Cork beachfront hideway,” he says.