Out of the ordinary in Ballinora

Quirky four-bed bungalow has been upgraded and extended, Tommy Barker reports.

YOU definitely don’t know what to expect from the exterior front of this Avondale Drive extended bungalow at Ballinaora, near Waterfall, a few minutes’ drive west of Cork city. There’s a cracking, scene-setting double-height main the 26’ by 25’ living space and kitchen at one gable end of the house, with a wooden stairs rising up along a wall to a 24’ by 14’ attic/play room/fourth bedroom under a dormer roof.

Because of the main living room/kitchen’s double height, it could be made into two separate levels once more, but it would kill the airy, contemporary character fashioned and achieved here now.

That great living space, bedecked with eight pendant lights and good wood flooring (this area is the house’s only real reception space) opens out to a recently-added sun-room with vaulted ceiling, and this conservatory room then overlooks a feature-packed back garden. Selling agent for the 1,840 sq ft four bed home with one en suite master bedroom is Sheila O’Flynn of Sherry FitzGerald, guiding the well-finished property on a half acre at €390,000.

Those half-acre of grounds and gardens outside include reclaimed limestone steps, rail sleepers, raised veg beds, play areas and several well-built outbuildings and sheds.

VERDICT: Quirky, upgraded and ideal for those looking for a place a bit out of the ordinary run of bungalow plans.

Location: Waterfall, Cork

Price: €390,000

Size: 172 sq m (1.840 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

BER rating: B2

Broadband: Yes