Trading up: CASTLETOWNSHEND €400,000

THERE are almost two different houses here at this village streetside family home in west Cork’s Castletownshend, near Skibbereen and a short roll down the hill to the sea, harbour and pier.

A young couple engaged the services of a top architect to oversee the conservation of the front portion of this family home.

Having restored the front to best conservation practice, they then extended behind in a contrasting contemporary wing, rounding off the package with great private rear gardens. The sublime finished package is now re-priced at €400,000 via agent Charles P McCarthy, and that’s an even 50% slice off the €800k guide it carried 18 months ago.