West is the best for back garden fun in stylish, spacious Ballincollig house

WEST is the new south — at least in terms of orientation because these days, with most couples working full time, having the sun in the back garden when you get home is the ideal.

And with a western aspect, you can push the barbie/goosebump deadline back to sunset in midsummer which is why the wide, mature gardens of no 23, Fernwalk, Greenfields, are going to be a major selling point.

They are west facing and the rear includes a cleverly-designed deck and a proper conservatory.

Bought by trader-uppers who knew what they were doing, the house is now being sold to downsize, which means this four-bed detached property just off the Ballincollig bypass is ripe for a new, growing family.

And it’s perfectly presented with some high-end touches.

The style is on the lush, classic end of the spectrum, with soft crushed upholstery and an above average white marble fireplace in the front room.

In the more relaxed family room, the look is bleached cotton covers combined with a cream coloured fireplace and blond wooden floors.

Double doors leads through to the conservatory, with it’s glazed roof and rattan furniture and it connects to the slightly raised deck which runs across the back of the house and gets south and west sun.

The kitchen, meanwhile is a good rectangular space with country pine units at one end and a dining area, with dresser on the other: It’s big enough for an eight seater table. The utility is to the side and built-in units here were configured to store golf clubs out of sight.

A third reception room is located on the opposite side of the main hallway and while it had been in use as a formal dining room at one stage, is now a home office/study.

A pretty, tidy house, no 23 belies the amount of space available, but it’s quite substantial and there are four good double bedrooms on the upper floor, the master of which is ensuite, as well as a main bathroom which has some lovely touches.

Storage is the byword for this property and the rooms are all incredibly well-fitted with a double bank of wardrobes in the master suite.

There are great views too, from all of the windows and the aspect of the house means the light shines on the front in the early morning and works it’s way around the property during the day.

It also comes with a large, insulated shed, that could be pressed into use as a “get out of my hair” playhouse or even, a high level dog-house when similar sentiments come into play.

With this house, there really is a lot of space to play around with, and the gardens are private and not overlooked.

Sheila O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald, who originally sold this house off the plans, is quoting a guide of €490,000 for the immaculately presented number 23 Fernwalk, Greenfields.