Large bungalow right to a tee

BUILT between the ninth and tenth holes of East Cork Golf Club in the 1980s, the Midleton home Ashleigh Villa is more than the sum of its parts – it just gels.

“Lots of people in Midleton will be familiar with this house, it is always admired, and the owners have been asked several times before to let people know if it is ever coming up for sale.”

So says estate agent Lawrence Sweeney of newly-formed Property Partners Cronin Wall as he starts to push a more than slightly open sales door on this near-town country package.

Describing the golf-sited villa/bungalow of 2,300 sq ft on 1.3 acres with tennis court as “a priceless gem,” he nonetheless pins a €875,000 price on the 2,300 sq ft pad within a walk of Midleton town.

Ashleigh Villa is owned and was built by a high-flying local business family (he’s a former pilot, now a jeweller) who had a very clear vision of the look they wanted to achieve.

And, it seems pretty French, at least in internal decor and appearances, with a certain Gallic flair in the furnishings, evident from the front door and large entrance hallway inwards and beyond. That hall runs in 22’ and opens out to a room-sized central point, complete with French-style (LeDroff?) open feature fireplace with corbels, brick and timber.

Two steps up lead to the rear bedroom wing, with five bedrooms back here, where the 18’ by 10’ master bedroom is en suite and all have built-ins. The family bathroom has both a shower and Jacuzzi bath.

But the real scene stealers are the living, dining and entertaining sections.

The main drawing room is 20’ by 15’ with large picture windows to the front of the house, and then there’s a very distinctive glass wall, all small-paned and with double French doors, to a 17’ by 12’ formal dining room just behind. Curtains are Laura Ashley and floors are tiled and creamy, while the tile colour then changes to a rustic terracotta in the so-country style family sitting room. This room has a pine ceiling with strong-looking support beams, and a large feature brick chimney breast with log store either side of the fire ope.

Sliding doors open to the front garden, and a set of internal double doors opens then to the similarly country-feel kitchen, again with beamed ceiling, painted units, brick island and terracotta tiled floor. The room includes a Stanley stove with electric oven back up. There’s also a utility, and guest WC, all kept to the same high standard.

Lots of the rooms, front back and sides, have views, the main aspect is southerly, and for those who can see past the golf course, the views stretch to the stacks and spires of Whitegate and Cobh.

Location is three kms from Midleton, via the Mill Road and the rail station, and the 1.3 acre site includes lawns, patios, orchard, a hard-surface tennis fenced-in court, and a very large (38’ by 19’) double garage with office/store behind it.

A very complete package, and yes, a bit of a well-set local gem.