Play your cards right, bring Aluette to top of the deck

THE period farmhouse Aluette was done up, not once, but twice, with gardens and glazing among its best features.

The stone home, with large lean-to sun room tucked underneath its fascias, is four miles north of Skibbereen, on a three-quarter acre site, with productive gardens, plus a pergola to soften and green-in the look of the terraces behind.

The lofty sun-room addition, taking up about two thirds of the front of the house and about 30’ long, will bring on seedlings for summer planting, and ripen fruit after the summer, while there’s also a polytunnel for more serious full-time growing. Oh, and lots of asparagus beds, along with fruit bushes and more, plus a vine for grapes in a second, gable end, east-facing smaller conservatory. So, sweetness and light outside, while inside the house has been improved, extended and opened up over a number of years, first in 1985, and again more recently again by its current owner.

Location of this country home is Milleenavilleen, and the rear terraces faces south west, ideal says agent Charles McCarthy, for enjoying sunsets, and with a stream at the western boundary.

The price guide is €400,000, and for around this sum buyers can get this three-bed house with main parquet-floored 31’ by 13’ living room, heated by two stoves, an even-larger kitchen/dining room with 450 sq ft of space, study, pantry and rear hall, galleried landing and three overhead bedrooms, plus bathroom.

Heating is oil-fired, there’s a new waste tank, and a well for private, non-metered water supply.