Sunny days in store at secret garden of spacious harbour home

There’s about 4,900 sq ft of space to play with at this unusual period mix. Tommy Barker reports

THE secret, rear garden of Amberley is a world removed from its exposed-stone facade. On a bright day, you could feel you were balming out by the pool along sunny Mediterranean shores — rather than at the fringes of Cork harbour, an easy commute from the city.

A big, three-storey semi-detached period home on a stepped site, its rear garden hosts a real surprise: extensive add-ons making a house that now has five bedrooms, wrapping around a patio/garden that fits in a heated outdoor swimming pool almost 10 metres long and five metres wide.

The location of this deceptive 4,900 sq ft property mix is just on the city side of Passage West, looking out over the River Lee at the front, where there’s off-street parking behind its access walls, opening into a mix of workrooms, office, playroom and wine cellar, before ascending to the first and main floor.

Up here, the big main living spaces are at either end of the broad U-shape, led by the 29’ by 24’ front reception room, with its big bay windows and Georgian-look marble fireplace. This great triple aspect room also has access behind to the patio and pool while the back kitchen/dining across that Med-like spot is 31’ by 28.’ There’s also a sunroom and sauna on this floor.

Above are five bedrooms, one a very large master bed with River Lee views, and an ensuite. All bedrooms have built-ins, and there’s a main family bathroom with bath and shower. There’s also a sauna and shower, in the pool area changing room. All of this for €440,000, via selling agent Clare O’Sullivan of Savills.

VERDICT: A huge amount of house, and features, for the money. But swimming pools can be as much a bind as a bonus.