Ravin’ over Ravensdale and its chocolate box charm

IT’S hard to sum up the attractiveness of Ravensdale, it’s just that when you see it, you go, Aaaah. There’s a kind of chocolate box charm about this Douglas village house, even though it’s obvious it needs work.

Maybe it’s the setting: tucked away in a leafy cul-de-sac under the old Carrigaline road in Cork, in the heart of the old village. Surrounded by a handful of houses (of differing periods), there’s a stream running by the boundary and a small entrance road leads inwards from Church Road.

Ravensdale is one half of what was a single, larger building which, according to locals, was a nursing home attached to the local Church of Ireland parish.

It’s been in use as two domestic dwellings for years and retains a very 19th century feel. The garden is to the front of the house, with a high private hedge and a cute, pillared entrance.

Parking is just outside and Ravensdale backs up to its boundary, with no room behind.

However, it does have a side entrance to a modern enough, back kitchen extension and according to agent Jeremy Murphy, the underpinning has been done.

However, he advises that bids will only be accepted following an engineer’s report, because the house does need work, and people need to satisfy themselves as to how much, he says.

The guide price is €235,000 and while that may seem affordable to romantic types, it might be worthwhile getting a builder’s evaluation too. However, it’s a very rare property, in an almost secret location and with three bedrooms, a living room, bathroom and kitchen/ diner, it has enough space for starters or retirees.

A classic – and one with a superb location.

Jeremy Murphy and Associates are the selling agents.