If you fancy a sea change it’s worth looking at Ballymacaw

Tommy Barker uncovers a former coastguard’s home in Waterford washed by a fresh tide.

THIS coastal Waterford cottage might be a few fields back from the sea and the cliffs by Ballymacaw, but it is steeped in maritme lore — it served as a coastguard’s home for decades after it was first built back in the 1880s.

Today, though, a fresh tide has washed through the place thanks to its current owners , making it comfortable, bright and accommodating, by virtue of its rear extension which has been done with no small measure of architectural flair and decorative/design skill. Location is out on the peninsula south of Waterford city, with Dunmore East to the east, while Tramore’s beach across the inlet’s sweep a shorter distance away to the west.

No 4 Coastguard Cottage comes up for sale in time for summer, with Waterford city city-based agent John Rohan of Sherry FitzGerald Rohan, who guides the 1,000 sq ft semi-detached well-honed gem on its 0.7 of an acre plot at €250,000.

He says it has been “tended and lovingly restored” to combine the best of modern living and old world charm, with features like the wide, old ceiling boards and pitch pine beams retained in the main upstairs bedroom with its pitched roof for a real, homely feel under the rafters.

Extended out to the back, with some feature window shapes in its gables, the interior of No 4 is picture-perfect, with some extra-high ceilings and light drawn into the 13’ by 11’ living space via Veluxes.

There’s a solid fuel stove here for creature comfort, and the floor is quality solid marabu timber, as it is in the kitchen/diner. There’s also a small utility room, two ground floor bedrooms and bathroom with shower over the bath, and a characterful loft bedroom.

VERDICT: Turn-key condition belies its 130 years of age. Coast is clear for decades more seaside living here at No 4 Coastguard Cottages.