Pat Cox’s house may get your vote

PRESENTER, politician, President – that’s the abridged version of Pat Cox’s CV. The former PD member who became a TD and then ran as an independent MEP ended up as President of the European Parliament for three terms.

Now, with his political roles behind him, but with a number of academic and philanthropic positions to keep him busy, he and wife Cathy have decided to relocate.

With most of their children and grandchildren in Dublin, a move to the other capital seems likely, which means they’re now selling their home of 16 years at Sunday’s Well in Cork city.

And exactly where they live in Cork’s northside won’t be familiar to those who just drive through the suburb, because it’s tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac at Ashboro, Shanakiel.

High, leafy and very private, their house is part of a cul-de-sac of large, detached houses built in the 1960s in a location just above Shanakiel hospital.

This property is near the site of another ’60s built house, which hit the market in 2006 with a guide of €875,000.

It sold shortly afterwards and was rebuilt, which gives an indication of the value placed on property in the area. And house sales are extremely rare, which means that despite the flattened market, Joe McCarthy of Irish and European, who also acted as Pat Cox’s campaign manager up until his last election in 1999, expects strong interest in 17 Ashboro.

And he’s pitched it right too, at offers of €675,000 for the five-bed, 2,000 square foot property which has maturity and great privacy at the rear.

The big family home is sheltered by a clematis-covered loggia which leads through to an impressive, square entrance hall with parquet flooring.

The hub is the kitchen/dining room, finished in birch units, granite worktops and a range stove worthy of an ocean-going liner.

A large utility, with picture window on to the front of the house is to one side of the working area and at the rear, teak French doors lead out to a lush garden. The kitchen table is place here, so there’s a direct view over the tea cup.

The formal dining room is next door and another door again leads through to the very decent, rectangular drawing room.

With a simple, while marble fireplace in the centre, and running the length of the house, this bright room is ideal for large family gatherings.

Upgraded and improved over the years, no 17 has recently had the master en suite and main bathroom upgraded in a fresh, modern style.

The main bathroom comes with free-standing Victorian bath and a multifunctional shower stall with soft, timeless tiling.

There are five, bright bedrooms off a long landing and all are good doubles, with access to a wraparound balcony from one: this area could have any number of uses with the right architectural input and neighbouring houses offer variations on a theme.

The back garden, with its playhouse, block garden shed, and Indian sandstone patio is also immaculately kept.