House in the frame

ARTISTS love Connemara scenery. They’ve been depicting it for decades and its scenery still has strong hints of the west of Ireland landscape and cottages that inspired Paul Henry about a century ago.

Just this week, a Roundstone Co Galway former coastguard house in this most scenic of settings went up for sale seeking €215,000, with open viewings planned for this weekend and next - but, after just one viewing, it has just gone ‘sale agreed’ at that sort of level.

Built in the 1830s, it is one of four similar houses built for coastguard families, albeit without great harbour or sea views. There are some bay views from the two smaller bedrooms, however.

It was to go to market with Spencer auctioneers, who meanwhile have a far larger ‘replacement’ house with the most painterly, incredible views, overlooking Killary harbour, Ireland’s only natural fjord.

And, after a recent price drop, it is now more ‘afjordable’ too, down to €490,000 from an initial €650,000.

A large, new trophy build and needing some more finishing work, the split-level, high tech home is “quite simply, situated in one of the most dramatic and spectacular locations in the West of Ireland,” says Luke Spencer. Those views include the Twelve Bens, Killary harbour, the Mweelrea Mountains and the Sheefry Hills, as well as the Maumturks.

It is on 3.8 acres, has 2,850 sq ft of space, has five en suite bedrooms with flush deck showers, a pressurised water system, has been set up for geothermal heating, it has high insulation values and a permanent painted render finish with 60 year guarantee.

The house needs final finishes, including some tiling and flooring, and the setting will win over buyers when they view, says Mr Spencer.